Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

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.

I just did the tests with a 60 gallon air compressor from 2 to 14 psi. The setup was:

60 gallon air compressor @ 120 psi>water separator/filter (5.0 micron)>pressure regulator @ 25 psi>coalescing filter (.01 micron)>pressure regulator>Defender 510M air flow calibrator>tonearm.

I updated the chart with the new data:

Flow rate chart

Frogman: I really appreciate your "measured" responses! I, on the other hand, am quite the opposite. I know that I don't take the time to explain my position, so I'll give it a try here.

Steely Dan: I think I am much harder on them, given their history of making awesome records. The Nightfly ( I have two copies), while it is much more open (a somewhat general term I am using), it strikes me as irritating in a way that I can't enjoy listening to it all the way through one side. IMO, it sounds somewhat unnatural and slightly "in your face". My comparison, while not the best, to "Aja", I think is telling.

I have three copies of "Aja", none of them I'm confident are the 'best'. (This is where I may separate from some). I am very aware of different pressings and how they sound. My yellow label ABC seems to provide me with the most enjoyment of the ones I own. With regard to these 3 lps, they are, in my words compressed, (with this one having a wider sounstage), as are a lot of SD lps, but the difference between the analog era and the digital era is apparent to me. While I notice this difference and understand all of what I've laid out, I can sit back and enjoy "Aja" all of the way through. I cannot do this on "The Nightfly". This is even though I love the music! To me, it's all about the enjoyment, the escape, the freedom I feel when I take the time to listen.

I do want to say my comments about "The Nightfly" were in no way a reflection on anyone here, just my personal view. I hope anyone here who's willing to take the time to compare, will respond.

Here are a couple of very good recordings in my view:

Chris Isaak "San Francisco Days"--- sadly out of print

Mark Knopfler @ Chet Atkins "Neck @ Neck" -- again, sadly out of print.

Both worth the price necessary to have in your collection!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

....I tend to post 'in pieces'.

Just wanted to mention that the two lps I recommended earlier, even though they are or the 'digital age', in my view, are again examples of recordings done "right" as opposed to "The Nightfly". I can listen to them and enjoy completely.

In closing.... it seems unless there is some sort of 'reference' established regarding differences in what we're hearing, the whole process is for not. That's kind of what turned me off with regards to comparing the Acutex in our differing systems.