Ketchup: You are correct. The overriding factor is that you understand my point.
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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Slaw is on fire ..:^) In regards to the recent leveling discussions, please permit me to describe in parallel my out-of- the -box method at setting up my ET tonearms. This method is straight in - cartridge leads to phono. The wiring is a separate loom on its own. Wire Loom It can be applied and removed in 10 minutes thereby allowing experimentation with different wires. Procedure 1) WITHOUT WIRING. Set up the arm per the manual. 2) Level using a a Blue Tack Pancake placed on the lead weights a little heavier than your cartridge - this allows the arm to free float in space. When leveling this way is accomplished; remove Blue tac and add your wiring. 3) Attach your wiring. again apply the Blue Tac on the lead weights. The arm "WILL" float one way - adjust the wiring positions only - do not touch the leveling screws which are already set for level of the tonearm. Adjust only the wiring itself. Using this process ensures your VTA Block Alignment is straight and true. If you are not able to make your ET2 free float with no movement after adding and adjusting only the wiring - the wiring arrangement is causing too much effect on the operation - PUSH or PULL of the arm. Revise your wiring arrangement. To understand this wiring phenomena - let's take a couple of steps back, look at the ET design a little closer, and let's make a comparison. In this picture is a ET 2.5 and the Kuzma Airline (picture lifted from stereophile) Kuzma and ET tonearms Note the red circles. They go around the air tube and wiring for each tonearm. The Kuzma as part of its design uses the wires and airtube for controlling the movement of the arm. On the ET tonearm neither is required for controlling movement. The air tube as we know on the ET is stationary and plugged into the stationary manifold. As far as the wiring goes with the ET ..... well this is an open book really; this is where some get into problems, and why this arm, imo, has the reputation for difficult setup. Too much freedom on what can be done. The Kuzma can only be setup as in the picture. . We have seen some very inventive ways of wiring here. This wiring freedom aspect is either a real good thing, or real bad thing ...all depending on ones experience level. In talking with ET2 owners, the more experience you have, the more people seem to appreciate having freedom on how to run the wires since the ET tonearm does not need the wires for damping as other linear trackers do. Wiring arrangement designs are also based on the TT/plinth style being used IMO - every ET 2.0, 2.5 owner who wants to get ANAL about setup; needs to at least one time, remove the wiring, and set up the arm/cartridge "sans-wiring" first, then add the wiring. Only in this way will you be able to really level things without the wire influence, and witness how much effect the wiring has on your leveling attempts and actual operation of the tonearm. Until you have done this "sans wiring" setup, no matter what method you employ to level; the turns you make on the two vertical leveling screws will be affected to some degree by the push or pull action of your wiring setup. To prove if this is true for your existing set up. In reverse, remove your wiring - do you need to make leveling adjustments to your arm ? |
Cto517: I appreciate your understanding my posts. That gives me a lot of pleasure. Regarding (ANAL), I doubt if there's anyone reading this that's more anal than I! I really take that as a complement! Whether or not it was implied or maybe just my own thoughts about it. I hope my posts do give all a reason to laugh now and again! It' is important to keep our sense of humor! |
Ct0517: Chris, you are the MAN regarding various set-ups.. but I submit, what really matters is how the arm's set-up transfers to "playing conditions". After all, as I think you will agree, this is what really matters. A long time owner of this arm will have no problem in, ( once in a while), adjusting for differing lp surfaces. (IMO) |
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