Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

vpi, if you do decide to clean your manifold as Chris correctly inquires about, I would be careful to do it right and go through the more labor intensive (but worth it!) process of removing and cleanig the capillaries as discussed here previously and NOT the sometimes recommended (in other forums on line) method of simply sending an alcohol solution through the "system".  I did this years ago and it made matters much worse.  The improvement as a result of cleaning the capillaries was tremendous.  Regards.

Chris, how are the bears doing with the unseasonably warm weather? 

Not real up to speed on this blog.  Can't figure out where your "runner" is to get to the manifold picture to which you refer.  

In my years with this terrific arm I never experienced any symptoms that made me feel I needed to clean the manifold.  That said, about 6 months ago while in a real obsessive/compulsive state I scrubbed it out with alcohol and a small tooth brush.  I did not detect any dirt or debris on the tooth brush and noticed no difference in performance.  I did not, however, remove the manifold for cleaning.  I just took the tube off and scrubbed the inside of the manifold with the brush and alcohol.   About every couple years I do swab the tube with alcohol and a cotton swab.  The arm has never mistracked except on the few occasions when I was stupid and forgot to turn the pump on; the tube has never dragged in the manifold and I'm not reading what I would consider excessive pressure on the gauge which would indicate a clogged manifold. The Medo pump I'm using says it is rated at 7.11 PSI and I'm reading a little over 8 PSI on the gauge.
Nice hearing from you,
Harry

Hi Chris,
I finally figured out how to get  your VS page and saw the manifold.  

Hi frogman,
Thanks for the tip on house cleaning.  I am, however, a little intimidated by the process of removing the manifold.  I've read some places you can simply press the manifold out with your thumb and other places that say I might have to tap it with a mallet.  I don't really want to take a hammer to my beloved ET II!

I don't really want to take a hammer to my beloved ET II!

Harry, its takes more than a hammer to destroy the ET 2.

8^0



@Frogman

"unseasonably warm"

yes........ until today !

we went from 17 c (60 f) to -5 c (23 f) overnight. where else do get swings like that in temps ?

I can't believe I was getting visions of doing gelcoat repair on one of the boats :^(

Good to hear from you Frogman :^)  

Ah yes, the ole ......pour some rubbing alcohol down the air tube like a scientist........turn the pump on ........and listen to the fluid come out of the manifold pores onto the spindle. Extra cool when you manually move the spindle in and out as you do this.

Quite a satisfying slurping sucking sound ....no ?

And all those mineral deposits in the manifold get dislodged, moved, and deposited where exactly ?

I think I'll try my thumb first.  I've never tried pouring alcohol down the tube and firing up the pump for the very reasons you describe.  

BTW I live in very rural Western North Carolina.  Earlier this week I woke up to 24 deg. F and the day topped out at 75 F.

I'm running a Lyra Delos on the ET with original arm wand.  Any opinions on whether I'd hear an improvement with the magnesium or carbon fiber wand?