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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 ?
128x128ct0517
slaw's avatar
slaw
22,070 posts
 
@vpi ,

Interesting your moniker is VPI and your name is Harry??

Audiophiles continue, IMO, to be THE most resourceful creatures on this planet! The power of music has no bounds.
vpi's avatar
vpi
223 posts
 
@ct0517
Chris,
Thought you and others might be interested in these two exchanges I had with Bruce about a lighter base weight. Perhaps, if the folks here on this forum make enough noise with Bruce he will make us some light base weights.
Harry

On 2/15/2018 4:37 PM, Harry wrote:
> Hello Bruce,
> Rumor has it over on the Audiogon forum you are working on a lighter base weight to accommodate the long I-Beam with lighter weight cartridges. This to get weight near the end of the I-Beam. Any idea when they will be available and price? I’d like to purchase one.

Harry,
We are not working on a lighter base weight, the existing base weight should be ideal for most applications, Chris  had a very light cartridge and I sent him a smaller weight to test.

Are people finding that the base weight is too much? Thanks
-brucet

This in response to the picture I sent him of the weight I made.

Harry,
That looks nice, if there is enough demand we can make a few weights, there has been good demand for the long I-beam.

If the weight is heavier than the wand plus cartridge, it should be positioned on the inside of the I beam, if it is lighter, it should be positioned on the outside of the I beam away from the manifold as shown in your photo. You might add that information to you description.

This is to balance the torque load on the air bearing. Thanks



vpi's avatar
vpi
223 posts
 
@slaw
Well..........I had never thought about that coincidence.  But now that you mention it, it is kind of ironic.  I promise I am not Harry W in disguise.  I have enjoyed my VPI HW 19 (now MK IV) for over 20 years so VPI seemed an appropriate moniker especially since the HW 19 is so well suited to the ET II. 
Harry
slaw's avatar
slaw
22,070 posts
 
@vpi,

You're kidding..right? Although I knew you weren't Harry in disguise, I just figured it was obvious..

Happy Listening!

I was looking on the ET website... no mention of the "aluminum joint" (armwand  to spindle) mount. or the long I-beams. Are these items one offs?

I'm starting to get interested again.

I'll contact Bruce if no response in forthcoming.
frogman
7,478 posts
 
Blu-Tack.  What I used some time ago on my home brew balsa wood long I-beam.  Not as elegant as a machined weight, but works great since it allows you to use just the right amount to balance even the lightest cartridge while putting the weight at the very end of the I-beam.  
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