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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-Lots of choices here. I'm not the expert on this, but if I owned the VPI table, I would call VPI and get a thicker armboard -metal if there is one. The adjustment feet on the base tend to dig into wood and loosen over time. On my SOTA, the armboard is a aluminum acrylic laminate with metal adjustable pods where the base feet are located. Too much info, huh?
John
Great responses.  Thanks to everyone.  I have the HW 19 MK IV which utilized a black acrylic arm board with the metal sub-plinth.  Plinth and arm board are the same thickness.  I also have what I think was the original TNT platter (black, lead filled with cork underside.)  The thickness of the platter relative to the height of the post is what causes the problem.

Seems like nicest fix would be the thicker arm board VPI once offered but is no longer available.  There is a place near me here in deep rural that works in acrylic that I can get to make me a new, thicker arm board.  It would raise the post relative to the platter.  Next choice is the aluminum base Bruce offers if it is thick enough.  Since my arm board is acrylic there is currently no base installed.  I'm also intrigued by Chris's idea of longer leveling spikes. 

I'm going to touch base with Bruce to see what he suggests.  Genius that he is he may have a simple fix. 

The issue is not critical.  I am near the upper limit of VTA adjustability but have a little (very little) room left.  It limits ability to experiment.
I'll report back.

Thanks again for all the helpful suggestions,
Harry

I don't believe that Bruce's aluminum base will do the trick. It's just a thin metal plate which you put between the armboard and ET-2 base, to prevent the feet of the base from digging into a wooden armboard. I vote for a new thicker metal armboard by hook or crook.
John
Following up.  I emailed Bruce.  He thought the longer leveling spikes were the best solution and is sending me some.  Thanks again for all your suggestions. I will report results even though all you guys have long ago blown by my lowly HW 19.🙄
Harry

P.S. Pegasus, I actually thought of your wedge solution but glue on my beloved Delos?  Horrors! 😱

John,
Didn't mean to blow off your suggestion of thicker arm board.  It is my preferred solution.  I'm going to keep my eyes open for one.  Failing that, next time I am feeling masochIstic I'll tear down the table and take my arm board to my local acrylic store to have it duplicated in thicker stock. :)
Thanks,
Harry