Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

Hi Richard,

Yes, the 6000, and all other Rockport arms, has damping trough. The “paddle” is fixed, so unlike the Walker, you have to adjust the amount of damping oil you put in!

However, I and a couple of my friends who had the 6000, prefer it without damping; it just sounds more lively, or more PRAT! I may revisit this topic later!

I have measured the weight of the Rockport 6000 in the weekend, and to my surprise, the whole moving assembly weighted in at 90g (including the A90 at 8g, and a spacer at 2.5g). I am using the lightest counterweight out of the 4, and the heaviest one would add another 15g!

With the figure about, it is hard to believe the moving mass of the Airline is only around 100g considering how massive it is compared to the 6000!

Is there a way to tell if I have a high pressure manifold on my ET2? Some sort of marking on the manifold, or a different size? I have a couple of different pumps, but dont want to put on a higher pressure if its going to damage something

05-13-13: Manitunc
Is there a way to tell if I have a high pressure manifold on my ET2? Some sort of marking on the manifold, or a different size? I have a couple of different pumps, but dont want to put on a higher pressure if its going to damage something.

Hi Manitunc

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ET 2.0 spindle is about 5/8 inch.

ET 2.5 spindle is about ¾ inch.
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from my 05/03/2013 post.

One way to tell if its a HP manifold.

So there are many ET2’s out there that have manifolds set up for really high pressures. These were custom ordered. If you want to know if you have a high pressure manifold or not. Push it out – inscribed on it will be XHP or HP. The other method is to hook it up to a compressor and start adding in PSI and see what it can take. If it came with a WISA is was meant for 5-7 psi. The original pump was in the 3 3.5 psi range.

Another way to tell.

Bruce built the manifolds for different pressures based on customer specs. If somebody bought their ET2 or ET 2.5 used and did not know the seller they don’t know what the pressure is – unless it came with the pump.

In order for the air bearing to become rigid it needs to be run at least at the PSI designed by Bruce for that specific manifold. Going over that pressure may produce sonic benefits in a persons room – IMO - this is subjective thing; based on our own room/gear synergies - just like speaker wire and interconnects – hah hah. How do you like that comment ? if a higher pressure works - great.

The original ET2’s were around 3 - 3.5 psi with the Takatsuki SPP-6GA pump.

The WISA pumps were 5-7 psi.

So Manitunc I suggest you try your arm first with the original low pressure pump first if you have it – SPP-6GA.

If it works its the original ET2 manifold. If it needs a higher pressure to work you have a HP manifold.

This applies to both ET 2.0 and ET 2.5’s.

This can be confirmed by contacting BT.

You can’t hurt it with higher PSI – in fact raising the pressure in increments will let you fix any leaks your arm may have if it has been sitting around for 10 years. You will blow off the air hose if anything.

Since we are talking about pumps - I will post how I test my ET2 pumps.

Cheers

Manitunc – just a note on my last post.

If it works its the original ET2 manifold. If it needs a higher pressure to work you have a HP manifold.

If we are talking about an older ET2 arm it may need more pressure because of it being dirty. Its a good idea to clean inside the manifold first. Slide out the spindle and use a toothbrush with alcohol and scrub the inside of the manifold. See page 40 of manual. This is an easy enough procedure and highly recommended for anyone buying a used ET2 with no history.

Cheers