Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

Recently acquired an Acutex 420STR from another member and just finished the install on my system. Initial tracking force 1.5g, VTA around zero (hard to eyeball to be sure...suggestions from others certainly appreciated!).

The 420 replaced a Grado Ref Platinum. Had to remove a thin lead c'weight, due to the lighter weight of the 420. Counterweight slide is a little past 4 on the scale. My first test track was "Mas que nada", Sergio Mendez & Brasil '66. The sibilance on this track is usually a good indicator to me of cart compliance and treble performance. The cart picked everything up without a problem. My initial impression is that I will be experiencing a lot more detail than the Grado was able to provide.

I'll continue to update the group as I run through my usual evaluation tracks and the cart settles in. Thanks to Frogman, Chris and Nandric for their advise and assistance in making this upgrade!

Regards,
Mark

Hi Mark – that is excellent news.
Was there any difficulty connecting your cartridge leads to the 420str ? The back of the cartridge is angled up - a tight fit with the ET2 armtube if longer leads are used?

...suggestions from others certainly appreciated!.

Only thing I would offer up right now is to leave things as they are for a few days to establish a reference point. Then remove as much lead weight as you can to get the weights sitting past 6 on the I Beam scale.

Your bass will become ...... well why don’t we let you tell us what it does for you ....... . Some previous hints are in previous pages here on the thread.

I like to think of the I Beam as a Pirate Plank. Get out as far as you can on that plank without falling into the water.

My I Beam with the 420 str has the base lead weight plus only one thin lead weight on it. Its past 6 on the left side and I can just see the very edge of the I Beam on the right side. Looking forward to hearing about your progress...

Cheers Chris

Chris, hi there,
Thats exactly where I ended up with the Shure V15 - 1 lead weight far far out.
I think with the electrodampening of the lateral tube motion and decoupling of the beam in place, even low compliance cartridges benefit from least weight furtherest out approach.

Glad it worked out, Mark. I second Chris' comments and would also suggest that you check the spring on your I-beam to see if you have a single or double spring. I have found the 420 to perform best with a double spring I-beam; the difference is not subtle.

Keep us posted.

Hi Dover – I have an offer for you. As the current holder of our famous “420str Celebrity”, I am willing to send it to you next, to the other side of the world - with only these conditions.

1) You are able to resurrect your unique ET2
2) Provide us with your impressions here
3) Promise to send it back to me within three months of receiving it; So that it can be prepared for the next recipient.

You see Dover, the way I see it; I am not worthy to just hold onto this crackerjack box cartridge. A cartridge that looks just like it fell out of a model airplane package.
Especially with talks of $10 – 15k cartridges on the MM
thread, this cartridge which demands nothing more than perfect tracing, needs to be experienced by as many as possible. I figure what better way than sending it to New Zealand.

Lets call it our threads version of the blue or red pill.

Do you think you are ready for the
Red Pill?

Offer stands.....