Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

Speaking for myself and the pressure gauge that I use, I doubt very much that it is accurate to within .5 lbs. So, it is entirely possible (and probable) that my arm is seeing anywhere between 18.5 and 20 lbs. I say that based on the less-than-sota quality of the gauge and the fact that the check-valve in my surge tank (20 lbs max rating), on any given day, will inexplicably open or be audibly on the verge of doing so with the dial on the gauge set to 19, and will be fine on another day. I don't know if its possible for voltage fluctuations to affect the pumps output or perhaps humidity levels? Having said all that, I would say that the somewhat broad range of 17-20 lbs is what gives me the best sound IN MY SYSTEM and TO MY EARS. I am impressed that you can reliably hear a difference of .5 lbs.

Slaw

What is it you or others prefer going to 19 psi?

My ET 2.5 was a custom build by Bruce designed for 19 psi.
It will still work at 18 but below that it starts having problems.
With no air on the spindle it is very tight in the manifold.
I am using it as designed by Bruce.

Now for why I had Bruce set it up for 19 psi
this is another story and it is documented on the first couple pages here. It involved putting my portable regulator in my lap and raising/lowering the pressure with it while my
older ET2 HP was playing music and listening.

Here is something to consider especially for new owners.
Lets say I just bought an ET2 on ebay or audiogon (or maybe five of them like Manitunc !)

This is what I would do if the previous owner and yourself don't know what psi it was set up for.
First the reference points we know about.
From Bruce' website.
**********************************************************
3.6 PSI - 0riginal Takatsuki and ET-2 or 2.5

5.0- 7 PSI - WISA 300 air pump and ET-2 or 2.5 with high pressure manifolds

>10 PSI - users with shop compressors and ET-2 or 2.5 high pressure manifolds

NOTE; if the pressure readings are higher than those listed above, the manifold could be clogged, if the pressure readings are lower, this suggest that the pump may not be performing correctly.
***********************************************************
That last sentence between the asterisks is very important and could be affecting your PSI.

So unless you have an arm that is a custom build (meaning you told Bruce what PSI you wanted it set up for)
then your LP & HP ET2 or ET 2.5 falls under one of those categories.

I would select the best category that applies and do exactly what Dave did here if you read back.

Lower the pressure to what your specific ET 2 or ET 2.5 will work properly at first - go up maybe one psi.
Use this as a reference point in your system. Get to know its sound.
Then start bumping up the pressure - if you like it great as this is all personal, room/gear dependent.

Imagine Manitunc trying to figure this out with 5 ET2's.
how's the leaf spring listening going Mani ?

Cheers

I took my Sony radio cassette player and placed it in front of the single mono speaker of the school record player.

excitement and thrill of hearing this music and being able to play it whenever I wanted.

thanks for sharing this Richard.
it reminded me of something I wanted to share also.
as a kid my first music reproducer was a small hitachi am fm cassette player with a built in microphone. I discovered I could tape good songs from the radio onto cassette and play them back when I liked. Like you said - what power over the music. I was in control.

So I filled a cassette tape and all I did for two weeks was play that tape.

One day I decided to listen to the radio again. the same songs, when they came on the radio all of a sudden sounded..... not as good .... not like my cassette. they sounded slower and lethargic on the radio.

I couldn't understand why. I would figure it out later when I was a teenager playing with turntables. Although the tape cassette player was speed stable and sounded good - it was running a little fast. so the music sounded more up beat. groovy, livelier than the slower radio version. the cassette tape was speed stable but not speed accurate.

this is how I learned the difference between the two.

Hi Harold - high school in 1977...me thinks you may be my lost twin ?

12-13-13: Richardkrebs
I persuaded her to let me record the album, so I took my Sony radio cassette player and placed it in front of the single mono speaker of the school record player.

So nothings changed then !

Frogman: Your point is well taken and one that I failed to address: the possible differences in manufacturing processes of the wide variety of pressure guages. I do listen in a small room/nearfield which is conducive to my hypersensitivity on a wide range of issues. By the way, do you or does anyone remember the ET upgrades offered and reviewed in 1995 by Roger S.Gordon? He reviewed a (Montronix Acuflo Air Regulator). This is what I have, only the DIY version. It is way overdone for 'our' needs but the Montronix sold for I believe $400.00 then, I got the DIY for $150. In his review were the following:
Build-it-yourself-air pressure regulator
ET II Large diameter high pressure manifold
ET II Magnesium Tonearm
Damper trough
Bright Star Padded Cell

His conclusion for most Bang-for-the-Buck was the BIYS air pressure regulator. FWIW.

Ct0517: I ordered my 2.5 so many years ago and without the benifit of this forum that I couldn't tell you what mine is specifically built for. I actually emailed Bruce about this a couple of years ago and his only answer was that it is probably built for the way I'm currently using it. I guess this means no detailed maufacturer/sales info on file record. Anyway, all I know is what I hear and that's good enough for me.

Thanks again for your input on my compressor issue. By the way, as we exceed over 1000 hits here, I want the thank you for your vision and your extraordinary follow-through regarding this thread. It's easy for one's efforts to be overlooked. You are to be commended Sir!