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 ?
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Hi Cabiendi

In this field
some processes are very delicate and require dry air at a very specific pressure.

An interesting comment. thanks for sharing. The quality (dryness and cleanliness) of the air is very important to the tonearm since the pores that allow the air through to elevate the air bearing spindle, can start accumulating water mineral deposits, other particles .. carried by moisture; thereby reducing the effectivness of the tonearm and the pump. The arm is also designed for very easy cleaning. Anyone buying a used ET2.0, or ET 2.5 or having run one for many years should be performing this procedures documented in manual. Being successful (meaning getting the best sonics) with an ET2, ET 2.5 entails becoming familiar with its parts, and the way it works. this is my opinion after 10 years.

I am not sure your in room regulator is diaphragmatic. They look flatter and I never saw one of them with water separator and filter.

My in room regulator normally doesn't come with a water container and filter.
I purchased the filter/bulb separately with the appropriate threading to attach to it. I am in the business of business contingency planning / business continuity. The processes involved have made me somewhat anal in regards to backup systems . :^) Its ingrained in me that you just can't have enough of them.

http://www.xmc-pneumatic.com/products/HAW-Series-Air-Filter-regulator-1082135.html

Model aw2000
I could get a smaller regulator one that would put the 19 psi into the middle range for the regulator, but this one has been working well and the smaller one had to be special ordered. I am told by the shop that uses and sells it, I verified yesterday that it contains a spring and diaphragm.

The other thing we need to remember with both the ET2 and ET 2.5. Both use only a percentage of the incoming air to work as designed; the rest gets bleeded out around the edges of the manifold. The air has to go somewhere. As has been discussed here they are a captured air bearing meaning air circulates the air bearing spindle 360 degrees.
So when we discuss a bleeding effect in the air supply - the tonearms themselves are also designed to release air as part of their design. Bruce has confirmed this to me in previous discussions.

Placing of a draft detector near the tonearm parts should allow one to see how the air is released and if there are any leaks near the bolts themselves.

Cabiendi - your perspective from an ophthalmic industry view is very interesting.
thank you for your insight and I look forward to more input from you.

Cheers Chris
Ok, you guys are a bad influence... I just bought a used, ugly ebay Timeter Aridyne 3000. It seems to make air ok, so now I need to find adapters for the air outlets... where to get?

Should work better than my little hobby airbrushing pump. Probably quieter too.

BTW, I found 19 psi to be the sweet spot for my 2.5 too!

TIA!

Greg in Mississippi <- has 2 ET's, a II and a 2.5, both with high-pressure manifolds. Phono's been down for years, excited to be doing something to get it going again.
Greg in Mississippi - welcome to the thread and Audiogon !

Another Multi ET2'er .......

the timeter ugly ?

Well I guess...but I prefer the word industrial looking :^)

so now I need to find adapters for the air outlets

I am using a Schrader Bellows Adapter on top of the TImeter.

http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/i/f/1390344387.jpg

Looking at the pic on the right.
Turning the knob allows me to control humidity and psi levels at the pump itself.

Where to buy.

http://www.parker.com

Click on where to buy.
Select Locate by Brand Name.
Select Schrader Bellows.
Follow remaining prompts for your zip code.
It should come up with the places closest to you.

or

If you google "Mississippi Hydraulics Pneumatics" it should provide a list of places near you also for similar regulators.
I recommend bringing the whole pump into the store for three reasons.

- So you can watch their faces when you open up the back panel and they see what kind of compressor/pump it is.
- So you can watch their faces again when you tell them what you are going to use it for (priceless)
- With pump in the store they should be able to match up adapters that will work and connect them for you so you are sure. Let their expertise guide you as long as they know how you will take some air from it.

If any questions you can contact me at bcpguy (at) bell (dot) net

Cheers Chris
An ET2 base model from France.

Mais Oui!

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