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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
frogman
7,506 posts
 
A safe healthy holiday season to you and ours; and all who read this. And thank you for what is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting, educational, and (by Audiogon standards) safe healthy threads; not to mention fun which is something we sometimes forget about in our search for audio perfection.

****For me I am thinking the man in black is going to look good on my mag wand..... ****

Definitely! But only the mag. The livelier aluminum should be reserved for the spouse; or.....

http://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=0M3uR24_V10

A voice as mellifluous as the sound of a well-setup ET2. Speaking of audio, setup geometry and the Mona Lisa....

http://geometricinspired.com/da-vincis-mona-lisa/

He may have used the Golden Ratio in his wire designs, but I still prefer the AudioNote to the Cardas....
richardkrebs
427 posts
 
Hi Everyone. I hope that your Christmas is filled with music, family and laughter.

It came early for me. Another ET2 and a Jethro Tull concert.
Perfect!
slaw's avatar
slaw
22,816 posts
 
Hello People: I recently sent my Acutex to Axel in Germany for a rebuild. (1000 hrs +++)

According to him, the stock diamond is an elliptical. An upgrade, which I chose, is the Shibata diamond.

I'll, at some point, update on the difference.

It most likely will be quite a while. I'm having too much fun right now with me Dyna D3!
slaw's avatar
slaw
22,816 posts
 
Hello!!!

Coming out of my audio shell....

I've noticed lately that, the ARC/POST has an issue.

(This is an ongoing issue with the ET design)

If, you can look at your ET from dirrectlly behind. you'll notice the the arc block / post doesn't "square-up".

This is a disappointment! Bruce, (if you're) listening, you/I would appreciate a (CNC) type of mounting here.

This is where some of us, (experienced users) will have an issue.!

Slaw, out........
ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
2,041 posts
 
Slaw - I've noticed lately that, the ARC/POST has an issue.

(This is an ongoing issue with the ET design)

If, you can look at your ET from dirrectlly behind. you'll notice the the arc block / post doesn't "square-up".

Both mine appear fine. Mine also have a very tight tolerance. In fact Bruce highlights this tolerance level in the manual.
Have you turned any of the four horizontal VTA block bolts with the arm mounted. This may cause the condition you describe. You have definitely thrown out your VTA block tracking if you have turned the VTA bolts with the arm mounted.

Note:
The ET2 manual is the original one with no updates that I am aware of. It contains a lot of good info but is in need of an update . For example. Page 26 VTA/SRA mechanism. It discusses that the VTA/SRA mechanism firmness is set at the factory. It discusses how to change the firmness level. A qualifier needs to be added to that section of the manual that adjustments made to the VTA block bolts should be done off table only. This was confirmed with Bruce and is discussed here in the Nov. 11, 2014 post yellow sticky.

Retorquing ET2 VTA Block Bolts

I know that some owners have actually turned these VTA block horizontal bolts to help line up the stylus on the straight line. A mistake for reasons mentioned above.

Slaw - I recently sent my Acutex to Axel in Germany for a rebuild. (1000 hrs +++) According to him, the stock diamond is an elliptical. An upgrade, which I chose, is the Shibata diamond.

The word from Audiogon'r Nandric is that Axle is very busy these days. I hope you get your 420 str back soon and look forward to any impressions. Am curious if it gains in the musicality area but looses some of its groove/boogie factor ....
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