Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

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.

OD is 'outside diameter'.
ID is 'inside diameter'.

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.

Thanks Henry – its the words turn and bore that are intriguing to me.
Richard - I would like to see a video of this whole process.
I have seen many videos of how records are made and have been to one record plant many years ago.
The old record making videos always show a bunch of ladies at the end of the process just prior to inserting them into sleeves; They could all pass for your Aunt (fill in the name). They represent quality control as they eyeball the records. :^)