Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

Richardkrebs: I'm using the air regulator I previously posted... the Motronix knock-off, Schrader , model 35501030,
it does expel air, this is to keep any pulsing action to a minimum as the arm sees it. However, with the M-30, this is a non-issue.

My feeling is that when I receive my Jun-Air 6-25 back from repair, although it does cut off after building up pressure in it's tank/s, I'll be pleasantly surprised if there is any at all, sonic benefit, from this arrangement. I say this because I'm SO confident in the M-30 and it's filtering properties!!

Slaw
Yes I remember your post now.
Thanks for that.
Will be interesting to read your comments on changes, if any, with the Jun Air.
Looking at these compressors on line, they appear to be very high quality.
Do you or any one else have any opinions on them?

Thanks

This seems to be a good place to ask this. I have an ET-2 on my VPI HW-19 MKIII. I have not had this very long so i am still getting it fine tuned. One thing i noticed was that when it gets near the inner grooves it will start to skip. The tonearm it not against the manifold but I think it is getting more resistance. Any suggestions to fix this?

Make sure that the bearing spindle is perfectly clean; I am sure that you have done that. Then, and the likely problem, make sure that the the bolt securing the bearing spindle to the "joint" is not too tight. This will cause the spindle tube to become deformed and will cause this problem. Lastly, and the most complicated solution, the air capillaries in the manifold may be clogged and need cleaning. Others will chime in with suggestions.

Hi Aguser - welcome to the thread.

03-30-14: Aguser
This seems to be a good place to ask this. I have an ET-2 on my VPI HW-19 MKIII. I have not had this very long so i am still getting it fine tuned. One thing i noticed was that when it gets near the inner grooves it will start to skip. The tonearm it not against the manifold but I think it is getting more resistance. Any suggestions to fix this?

Based on your info you sound like a new ET2 user who has just purchased the used ET2 and VPI combo. I was this exact same person over 10 years with a MKIV table and the same problem. In my case the previous owner did not know what to do so he sold the table. Assuming the wiring exits the arm at the counterweight cap and goes down through the plinth? In addition to what Frogman said I would perform these four steps. I believe your problem will be a combination of them. A very easy fix.

1) Ensure spindle is clean especially on the armtube side as this is the spindle portion in the manifold when at the inner grooves - isopropyl and clean cloth.

2) Platter not level - the back end is higher. The ET2 is climbing a hill. Is the VPI table plinth that the ET2 is on - in the same level plane as the platter itself ? For now Ignore the plinth and level the platter only. Place a line level on the platter portion path the cartridge takes - ensure its level.

3) ET2 not level - get some Blutack. http://www.blutack.com/
Make a flat pancake shape size of a silver dollar and place it on the lead weights. Remove or add Blue tack until the arm free floats. Does it stay free floating or does it want to slide to the front ? Position the ET2 at the start, middle and end of the record positions. Ensure the wires are not pulling on it when it is on the outside part of record; and pushing it like antiskate on a pivot arm, when on the inside part of the record.

Now adjust the bolts if not level. Its important to not put too much pressure downward on the two bolts as you may crack the casing. When I adjust these bolts I like to back off pressure on both vertical bolts first; and then re adjust pressure.
If the platter and ET2 are indeed level, and it still has a problem on inner grooves it is most likely the wires giving push back or the pump is down 1/2 psi if the original one ? This was my problem - the pump was down 1/2 psi.

4) Wires not positioned properly - they are pushing on the arm. They are causing the most push back on the inner groove because this is when they are most likely bent the most. I recommend you bypass those wires but for now re position them so that there is no pushback with the blutack in place when the arm is positioned over the inner grooves.

Let us know how you make out.

Cheers

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