Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

Hey John.  
Actually, there are two numbers on Chris' feeler gauge, .020 followed by .508 mm which is the metric equivalent of .020 in.  It is very hard to read from the picture but it is the same as the feeler gauge I have.  I don't know if you bought your ET II new but if you are sure nobody has played with the top two bolts on the VTA block, you probably still have the factory setting and are good to go.
Harry

Thanks Harry,
I still think you should get an aluminum base. It's much more rigid and Bruce will cut you a good deal. After I got mine, it took me six mos to change it out, because you almost have to start from scratch, setting the arm back up. I didn't want to do the work at the time.
Cheers,
John 

Beautiful day been working on the Boat . Check out this picture showing the internals of a destroyed ET2 VTA block. See Bruce’ patented design.

Destroyed VTA Block

For a full picture of damage inflicted by this audiophile, see Pic 33 on my virtual system.

The problem with the one in this pic. The VTA bolts were closed, jamming the aluminum roller to the track. You can see how the aluminum roller caused a bald spot in the track. This VTA block will slip on that section and is no longer any good. The VTA blocks are all made on an individual basis with their specific manifold. For this reason Bruce can’t just send you another VTA Block if it has been destroyed.

So, when buying a used ET2 - this is the part, the VTA block, that you need to verify is in good shape because you can’t see it. Ask the seller to measure the gaps for you. If they are factory settings as discussed here, it’s a good sign it was not messed with like Harry said

Bolts uneven in gap, along with causing the VTA to not be accurate, will also put uneven pressure on the track and WILL wear the teeth out unevenly that the aluminum roller tracks. I keep all the 4 bolts the same in gap. open the gap more for less firmness  but keep the gap the same on the 4 bolts.

Harry - glad your magic is back. You have a lot of audio passion sir !

John,
I'll probably end up getting the aluminum base sooner or later.  Right now I've been tweaking and upgrading for over two months and have it where I'm very pleased with the result.  So for a while I'm going to subscribe to "if it ain't broke don't fix it."

Chris,
Nice down here in the lower colonies too.  Gonna have to plow the garden soon.  Audio passion?  How polite......Actually, I'm just retired and OC.  The best description I can give to where the system is now is while I'm trying to listen to the system to make sure the setup is correct I find myself listening to the music instead.
May you all have spot on VTA,
Harry

A lot of passion, indeed; and, I am impressed at the fine level of nuance that you are able to hear and able to describe.  Harry, no shame due for wondering if raising the arm board might be a step backwards in transparency; it's always a possibility that would be hopefully offset by the gains from proper VTA adjustability. Sometimes we have to give up a little somewhere to gain something more important elsewhere.  Glad to hear you don't think you've had to give anything up and the magic is back.  I did have a thought about something that I am surprised we all overlooked (I think) when discussing your VTA issues.  The HW19 MkIV platter itself can be raised or lowered by turning the bearing's thrust plate.  When I had the MKIV I had the platter just barely clearing the table's top plate.  How much clearance do you have?  Lowering the platter may get you some more (or easier) VTA adjustability.  Btw, the extra armboard will go out this morning; had to get through a very busy weekend.  Let us know how it all works out.