Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

Thanks a lot Frogman! The wiring is an issue for sure, but the EM-field situation is actually the cause, and the noise is the symptom. And the ET2 / wiring / Decca system seems to be very sensitive. What turntable do you use, and how close are other power supplies?

Frogman - With the ET2 the ground noise was completely unacceptable. Of course, I tried every conceivable "fix" to no avail. Still, when I listened through the noise, the Decca magic was there. I did not hear (as one might expect) tracking issues any worse than with the other arms; except in very demanding orchestral passages.

.....All this was before I went direct to preamp with continuous run of tonearm wire. Now, with the continuous run and naked wire the noise is horrible and even worse.

Yes...but once one has **successfully** run naked through the woods with the bears. There is never going back to wearing clothes. :^)

I found that dealing with interference a lot like the James Bond movies; you know where he is trying to lift the diamond from the vault - while keeping from being burned/destroyed by the laser beams. The laser beams represent this interference.

**
With the stylus on the still record (not moving) unmute and slowly raise volume. 4 strands of phono wire behind the gear rack. Move the first wire strand a little this way - oh the noise! - a little this way - noise gone. A small quick dab of blue tac to keep it in place. Next strand please. 3 more times.....

The success of these James Bond maneuvers are highly dependent on having good access to the back of your gear. If your set up is one that to accomplish the above would require you to become a temporary contortionist ? Forget-about-it .....Running naked through the woods I mean...
Stick to shielded cables and a more closed in sound.

fwiw
It was impossible for me to set up my pivot arms in this fashion as the wiring played havoc with the pivot arm tubes action (wanting to race to the spindle + antiskating) I believe the ET2's big advantage (even over other linear trackers) is the Freedom it gives you (lots of rope for the Audio Hangman) to experiment with wiring. It doesn't need the wiring for damping like others. But then if its operation is not well understood - the wiring also becomes the main reason for its downfall - Achilles Heel.

10-26-15: Pegasus
...... The wiring is an issue for sure, but the EM-field situation is actually the cause, and the noise is the symptom. And the ET2 / wiring / Decca system seems to be very sensitive.

Detecting emi with an am radio.


Found this to be a really good primer on Ground Noise, EMI or RF - for those unaware.

Ground Noise or RF

10-26-15: Bdp24
The Londons made since they have had four pins are better in numerous ways than the older three pin versions. Not only less noise, but different stylus profiles, improved tracking, tighter assembly standards, etc. There are now three different models, the main difference between them being the design and construction of the cartridge body housing, the moving parts being very similar.

Thanks for this info Bdp24. Think I may have have found my next cartridge, if when I decide / need to acquire a new cartridge one day.

Thanks Ct0517 & BdP! I am wondering that the conceptually very similar London air bearing arm (based on the Cartridge Mans's Conductor arm), with similar wiring, and at least these four "naked" unscreened (or five!) wires without screen for about 15cms, is the recommended arm for the London cartridges. It want hum, I'm shure (not the cartridge :-).
I suspect it's something to do with a missing ground link from the arm to the preamp. Does the original ET2 wiring has a 5th wire? Mine certainly does, but I have a different wiring & routing to the original one.

Thanks Ct0517 & BdP! I am wondering that the conceptually very similar London air bearing arm was "built for London" cartridges... (based on the Cartridge Mans's Conductor arm) - it must have functionally similar unscreened wiring, at least these four "naked" unscreened (or five!) wires without screen for about 15cms.
Could it be that it has something to do with a missing ground link from the arm to the preamp - does the original ET2 wiring have a 5th wire? Mine certainly does, but I use a different wiring & routing to the original one.

Pegasus
I may have missed it, but have you made twisted pairs with your naked wire runs?

Cheers