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
In order to maintain standards and ensure authenticity, I have initiated the use of identification labels on my upgrade. Going forward, only TTs that meet these standards will be shipped with this authentication. Every TT done by Bill meets these standards. In contrast the 2 off MK2s done in NZ do not, being prototype mules 1 and 2, they were effectively a work in progress. Both of these owners are aware of this and are getting their units brought up to spec FOC. This developmental work has meant that any brand DD TT can now be upgraded with a high level of confidence, circumventing the prototype stage.
Baring imports, there is only one TT in NZ that meets my requirements, a MK3, and that is mine.

Back on subject, Chris, we are waiting to hear about the mag wand performance.
06-25-13: Richardkrebs
In order to maintain standards and ensure authenticity…
In contrast the 2 off MK2s done in NZ do not, being prototype mules 1 and 2, they were effectively a work in progress. Both of these owners are aware of this and are getting their units brought up to spec FOC. This developmental work has meant that any brand DD TT can now be upgraded with a high level of confidence, circumventing the prototype stage.
Baring imports, there is only one TT in NZ that meets my requirements, a MK3, and that is mine.
Richardkrebs
The fact that they are advertised as having your US$800 upgrade says otherwise. I quote from the published advertisements here in New zealand -
The Technics SP 10 MK II has had the Richard Krebs US $800 upgrade.
I was advised that they had your upgrade and at no time was the word mule or prototype mentioned.
Your explanation conflicts with both the advertising and the descriptions given to me by the retailers.
Your post of 06-24-13 accused me of making untrue statements. You owe me an apology.
The Mag Wand after a couple listens.

Just thinking about it - we have talked at length here about the vertical and horizontal masses. My personal experience has been any time I can increase the vertical mass of the ET2 arm itself - it is a good thing to my ears. With that increasing the armwand weight itself also increases the ET2’s horizontal mass. So its a kind of game. You need to trust your ears.

Turning the counterweight cap down is significant in my system. I keep the weights at around 3:30 on the clock. If you don’t believe it try turning the weights up to 2:00 and see what happens to the sound using the middle of the air bearing spindle at 3:00 as a reference.

I left the MM that was on there as to change only one variable at a time. What I got was more impact, presence, aggressiveness, attack,.... weightier sounds overall.

One example Dire Straits – self titled album. Guitar plucks on Water of Love. The Bass impact on Six Blade Knife. The weightiness to the voice. This is immediately apparent and then you settle into the sound. So would more weight and attack be a good or bad thing in your own system ? Only each of us can answer that. When my teenage daughter plays our 1958 Heintzman piano - her mood - affects her play. Sometimes the piano has more attack and weight sometimes less. I have learned she is more approachable when the sound has less attack in it and the sound is more delicate and graceful.

I asked Bruce how he makes the mag wand.


Chris,

It is turned from one piece of magnesium solid bar stock. We turn the O.D., bore the I.D. and then heat the tube to 450F to form the headshell end of the tube in a die. Thank you very much.

brucet

Can someone explain to me what “turn the OD, bore the I.D.” means ?

It required one extra skinny lead weight for balancing over the Carbon Fibre armwand with lead (only) weights setup according to Dorothy.
Chris
Good to read about the mag wands performance. Thanks for giving us a clear view on what it does. Also impressive engineering all over again from Bruce.