Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

Long I-Beam update.
My new Van den Hul cartridge seems about broken in now.  At least I'm not hearing significant changes from session to session.  Fine tuning setup was nearly impossible while it was breaking in.  I'm using the mag arm wand and the weights were about 1/2 inch from the end of the plank.  At this point I started fine tuning and adjusting my diy weights so I could get the weight clamp nearly to the end of the plank. This resulted once again in increased focus and bass definition.  I continue to be amazed at how small changes in the weight position result in very significant sonic changes.
Harry 

Fisrt time post here,
I just happened to stumble into a SOTA Star Sapphire with a ET-2 Tonearm at a yard sale of all places. The seller was not the original owner and didn't know anything about it. I'm sure this table has been sitting unused for quite some time.
I've spent some time getting the table sorted out and now I'm looking for some advise on a ET-2 tonearm. I have leveled the platter and cleaned the spindle. With the needle on a level sheet of glass, The arm tube doesn't glide back and forth as I would expect it to from reading the manual. I think the air bearing pump is working but I don't have a gauge. Looks like it only requires 2.5 PSI and I can feel air pressure out of the filter. My guess is that the pump in not the issue. The manual recommends cleaning the manifold if cleaning the spindle doesn't fix the travel issue.
Should I go out and get a gauge and confirm the PSI before I pull out the spindle and clean the manifold or anything else I might be missing or should do first? If yes I should go ahead and clean the manifold, Do I remove the joint on the front of the spindle? Is the joint indexed to the spindle or just needs to be 90 degrees from the rear counterweight clamp? Is there suppose to be any horizontal play on the counterweight I-beam, mine has some?
-Brad

Hi Brad,

Measure the pump’s PSI output and remove/clean the manifold and the spindle. Unplug the connector cap  at the front end of the spindle/joint. Only remove the joint at the front of the spindle (loosen the allen screw first) and take care not to pull the wiring plug inserted into the front end of the spindle out with the joint. Be very careful with the wiring while removing and re-installing the spindle. Joint is not indexed and the armwand should be parallel with the I-beam when properly reassembled. The I-beam will have lateral movement per its design.

Dave

Dave,
Thanks, I'll look in to buying a gauge and try cleaning the manifold.
-Brad

Brad, I assume you know that you need to remove the manifold from the housing in order to thoroughly clean it. Gentle but firm thumb pressure on one end of the manifold while securely holding the housing should break it loose. Don’t strike or pry the end of the manifold with anything, just keeping working with it until it starts to budge.

Check back with issues/questions and once you are done with this as there are a few things that are very critical to proper setup that are not completely detailed in the manual. There are several here that are experts and we will help.

You can view my setup on my Virtual System page for reference. Click on "Toggle details" tab for explanation.
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/3778

Dave