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Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners


Where are you? What mods have you done ?

I have been using these ET2's for over 9 years now.
I am still figuring them out and learning from them. They can be modified in so many ways. Bruce Thigpen laid down the GENIUS behind this tonearm over 20 years ago. Some of you have owned them for over 20 years !

Tell us your secrets.

New owners – what questions do you have ?

We may even be able to coax Bruce to post here. :^)

There are so many modifications that can be done.

Dressing of the wire with this arm is critical to get optimum sonics along with proper counterweight setup.

Let me start it off.

Please tell us what you have found to be the best wire for the ET-2 tonearm ? One that is pliable/doesn’t crink or curl. Whats the best way of dressing it so it doesn’t impact the arm. Through the spindle - Over the manifold - Below manifold ? What have you come up with ?
128x128ct0517
ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
2,041 posts
 
I found his comments about his preference for the ET2 with this cart to be interesting; I wish he had elaborated on the reasons why.

Frogman - when you contact Bruce maybe he can confirm this.
This information is from Bruce from his testing - it was posted earlier in the thread somewhere near the beginning.

The ET 2.0 smaller diameter spindle resonates at 5-6 hz. This applies to regular and high pressure 2.0 models.

The ET 2.5 which only came as a higher pressure model has a larger diameter spindle resonating at 2-3 hz.

If I have a choice I usually run MC on my 2.5 and MM on the 2.0 but both work well with either. The higher compliance MM's (imo - resonating higher) just seem to work better to my ears on the ET 2.0. Less tweaking involved in setup. So I agree with what Bruce said. With that I have the 420str on my 2.5 right now and it sounds great.


frogman
7,452 posts
 
Further comments from BT:

(-why did you prefer the Acutex on the 2 vs. the 2.5? Does it have to do with the different resonance frequency points of each version?

-why would the aluminum or carbon fiber wands be preferable? I am currently using the magnesium wand and intended to try the aluminum)

****  In both cases, (the ET-2 and the aluminum or CF wands) I was looking for low horizontal inertia to match the slightly higher than average compliance of the cartridge. This component combination worked well for me with other cartridges with similar mechanical characteristics.
  With respect to the magnesium wand, if it is the light version it would be a good choice, if it is the heavier version, while it will work it is not ideal. I hope this helps, thank you very much.

    brucet****
ketchup
699 posts
 
Does anyone know how to tell the difference between the light and heavy magnesium wand?
frogman
7,452 posts
 
Ketchup, from BT:

****The heavy version has a step at the back to a larger diameter, the light version is tapered with no step. The photo on the web page for the magnesium wand shows the version with the step. Thank you very much.

    brucet****
ketchup
699 posts
 
Frogman,

Thanks a lot! I have the heavy version, then.
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