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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Yeah, the pump runs if I remember at 68 db if you hold an spl meter 5 feet from it. It needs its own room. Like my music :^)

Harry -  one more thought. 

Are you using one single naked leaf spring on your I Beam ? Naked meaning there is no damping material attached to it. This set up works well with high compliance carts and also bad out of center records; provides damping. Your Lyra is not high compliance and would benefit from less damping. I believe things will tighten up and come more alive.

If you contact Bruce he will send you 5 leaf springs and two I beams to make up double and triple leaf spring I beams. The cost for this is low, a few dollars, but the rewards can be high. There are others that have stuffed, "stuff" ...."material".... down beside the leaf spring to make it stiffer. Do this proper and get the real leaf springs from Bruce direct.
Just a recommendation. Good luck.
Chris,
Yes, I appear to have one leaf spring and examining my Beam/Spring where it connects to the spindle it does not appear that I have any damping material.  Looking at Bruce's parts diagram it seems a simple process to remove and replace the I Beam/leaf spring assembly.  Simply remove the screw from the back end of the spindle and slide out the beam/spring assembly. (no hammer required)   I am going to contact Bruce today to get the extra beams and springs.  How do the extra leaf springs attach to the I Beam?  Or do you just slide the extra springs in next to the one attached to the I Beam?

While on the subject of damping, I believe I mentioned earlier I have the damping trough attached but don't use because the silicone migrated out of the trough and made a mess.   Is there a substitute like some type of oil that would add damping but not be prone to migrate out of the trough?  
Thanks,
Harry
Hi Harry

" no hammer required "

hah hah ....lol...I like your sense of humor :^)

there is a pic on my virtual system of the three I Beams. I looked #37. Good number for a race car ?

It’s been a really long time since I touched the I Beam or changed carts. I have been just playing records.

I would slide the weights off the I beam first, then you only need to loosen the end cap bolt. The I beam pulls right out. The leaf springs are glued together onto the I Beam - become permanent. Bruce can send you loose leaf springs and beams that you assemble and glue; or he will do it for you - but only if he is around and not traveling. In this case there might be wait. Warning ...he might be flying around somewhere studying the hearing of another exotic animal. What a life ! Make sure you say Hi to him from us here. I still can’t believe he took time out for us to test out the 420str cartridge aka..cracker jack box cartridge.

I’m not sure what you mean by trough oil migrating out. I only use enough to just touch the bottom of the paddle. Unfortunately, I have never come across any oil in this Audio hobby, or even boating and auto hobbies, that is not messy and just a real PITA. You need to be careful around it, and I am not the most careful person that’s for sure.

In discussions with Bruce years ago I did ask him why he didn’t put the trough at the front, assuming the arm is mounted on the right side of the table. From what I recall he said it was too messy and too great a chance of an accident happening in front. Analog can be so hazardous you know, compared to ........ Digital. Until you maybe accidentally delete your digital music files by mistake.........with no backup .......hah hah

The ET2 troughs are no longer made as far as I know so valuable, to an ET2 owner.

When not using the turntable I keep the armwand over so the cartridge is near the spindle. I then put a cover over the back end of the ET arm covering the trough and far end of the air bearing spindle/weights/I beam. I keep an old record on the platter itself. Dust still gets underneath it :^(

btw - A very nice cart you have with that Delos.

Just got your response and still have questions but it's very late here. I'll respond more tomorrow.  I can't resist commenting on your last paragraph, however.  My lord you are more OC than me.  I keep a sheet of green felt on top of the dust cover on my VPI HW 19 to keep the dust off the dust cover.
Cheers,
Harry

Harry - my turntable doesn’t come with a dust cover like your vpi; so I keep the parts that matter covered and just dust the rest of it as needed. I do need to come up with a better system because the kitty stole the drive system from it last month. 8^0