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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
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.
ketchup
699 posts
 
I just finished a flow rate test to see how much air my ET2 and ET2.5 arms flow at various pressures with different pumps (Wisa and ET/Takatsuki). I'm also going to do the test with an unlimited supply of air (60 gallon air compressor) from 1 psi to about 15 psi (the maximum pressure that the air flow calibrator can take).

My setup was:
Pump>Bios Defender 510M air flow calibrator>Parker air pressure regulator>Tonearm.

I tested each arm/pump combo from 1 psi to the maximum pressure that the pumps would provide. Results can be found here:

Flow rate chart

The results suggest that the Takatsuki pump flows more air into each arm at equal PSI, but can not provide the PSI that the Wisa can. The results also show that the ET2.5 is less of a restriction to the pumps than the ET2. It flows a larger volume of air at a lower pressure.

These results may not apply to all tonearms. As I understand it, Bruce customized some arms for use with specific pumps.
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