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 ?
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Richardkrebs: In response to your inquiry as to my tt project.... it's at least a year from reality. there won't be much new ground broken here, I'll be using my current VPI platter/bearing, there will be prescision engineering in all phases, a (4) pod design, (motor, pulley/pinch roller arrangement, tt plinth, ET pod.)
My hope is the "anal" focus on prescision mating of parts and excecution will be a plus. The use of differing materials from wood to high tech options. I'll either fall flat on my face or end up with something very special.
Dover: The granite surface plates vs. a CNC machine = my version of "shade tree mechanics" in my world.
Ct0517: Sorry, should have replied earlier... Holy Testosterone Batman!!!
I know I'm stretching the positive here, remember A J Conti, his claim to fame is ultra high demands on the end "TRUENESS" of his product, hence the normal acrylic platter vs. his acrylic platter and how it may compare. This is the "anal" I am speaking of, I only hope I can achieve it once.
The use of differing materials from wood to high tech options. I'll either fall flat on my face or end up with something very special.

And you will have fun and learn a lot. This is what a hobby is all about. Imo – whether the learning is happening with the music itself new/old or the equipment part – when you stop wanting to learn you start to die a slow death.

Slaw – I can share some observations in regards to TT design from my experience the last four years.

What sets my Verdier apart from other tables I own and have owned is the use of materials, an understanding of their properties and documented results from measurements that were taken. I have emailed with JC Verdier many times, he has all the information and is very open with info; just as BT is with his tonearm. BTW from pictures JC Verdier is very impressed with the ET2.5 and did not know what it was when he first saw it . The Verdier is all about decoupling with levitation. The decoupling is carried over into the spindle/platter design as the spindle is brass and the platter Aluminum.

My Jean Nantais Lenco uses a Metacrylate mat that JN bonded to the stock Lenco platter to become one. You would never know it was not part of its original design if I didn’t tell you. His plinth is meant to become one “thing” 100 pounds worth with the top plate and tonearm. The top plate holding the platter from what I see must be fixed to the plinth in a way that it is “bonded” to it as well just like the Met mat and becomes part of - for the idler resonance control. I don’t like the spindle as it fatter.

My learning/hobby TT has been the SP10MKII. I am on version ?? now :^). It sounds better with the copper platter but I fear I will screw up the servo on it due to the weight. The latest version can be seen in my virtual system.

Whoa! My testosterone runneth over. That armwand... did I miss something?

Mounted today :^) Its too hot to go outside. The CF version is in the pic too.