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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 ?
ct0517
ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
2,041 posts
 
You can put a Mag wand on an ET2 or a ET2.5.
The gooseneck - the joint part that connects the wand to the spindle is the same design for both allowing for this to happen.

One of the dark secrets - imo - for ET2, ET2.5 owners is why Bruce never bothered to put a ET 2.5 label on the ET 2.5 manifolds. They all say 2.0.

It makes it very confusing because when looking at pictures themselves, the part you see - the spindle - it is impossible to tell. Its like an illusion.
But when comparing the ET 2.0 and ET 2.5 in person it is very obvious.
The ET 2.5 is bigger in diameter.
The actual diameter measurements are published here "somewhere" . 5/8 inch rings a bell but not sure.

or does the spindle look like this ?

http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/i/f/1366417696.jpg

Manitunc - Please compare with your others and let us know.
You may have an ET 2.5 on your hands.

Cheers
frogman
7,529 posts
 
As Chris says, it's difficult to tell the 2 spindle from the 2.5; but not impossible. I can usually tell when it's a 2.5. Look at the diameter of the spindle in relation to the diameter of the arm wand. In photos, the 2 spindle usually looks to be about the same or slightly larger in diameter as the original aluminum arm wand or smaller than the magnesium. The 2.5 spindle clearly looks wider than the original wand and about the same or slightly larger than the mag. Based on the pic in the ebay link, I believe Manitunc has a 2.

BTW, there seem to be two different magnesium wands. Mine (I bought it years ago right after Bruce started making them) does not have the "step" in it's diameter toward the rear of the arm.
manitunc
795 posts
 
Yeah, its the step that suggests to me its a magnesium arm, but it should arrive today, so I will check. That being said, is there any other difference between a 2 and a 2.5 than the spindle or manifold size?
frogman
7,529 posts
 
I have no direct experience with the 2.5, but my understanding is that the larger diameter spindle also has a tighter gap between it and the manifold's interior creating a stiffer bearing. Chris can give you a much better description.
ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
2,041 posts
 
to my knowledge other than the different larger 2.5 spindle
all other changes are "under the hood" in support of it.
The I beam/leaf spring and lead weights;
and the different armwands are interchangeable between 2.0 and 2.5
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