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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
richardkrebs
422 posts
 
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.
ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
2,041 posts
 
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. :^)
richardkrebs
422 posts
 
Chris.
When Bruce machines the wand, I assume that this is what happens...
The bore thing is basically drilling a hole to create the ID dimension. Sometimes the drill is rotated, some times the work piece (bar) is rotated. It depends upon the machining centre. For complex internal shapes it is possible to undercut the workpiece such that a larger ID is created say in the center section compared to the two ends of the resultant hole.
The turn process is like moving a chisel along the outside axis of the spinning bar to create the OD dimensions. The chisel can be moved in and out to create different ODs along the length of the bar.

I could send you a video of our milling machines running but you don't see a lot as the work piece is flooded in cutting fluid to keep it and the tools cool, lubricated and help with swarf removal.

The art in this process is getting the feed ( how fast you pass the cutting tool along the surface ) and speed rates ( how fast you spin the work piece or cutting tool ) optimized to produce the required tolerances and surface finish, in sync with the conflicting requirement of finished product thru put, tool wear, and machine loading.
dover
2,247 posts
 
ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
2,041 posts
 
Thanks for the info Richard.

I have watched my Brass Armpod being cut from this

Blurry picture – it was moving I had to make sure I wasn’t hit as it swung over to the cutting table.

I also watched my SS Legs that are bolted into my previous version SP10 setup being made. The current version has threads at both ends.

This magnesium armtube is a very different beast. :^)

Cheers
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