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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 ?
ct0517
ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
2,041 posts
 

shfinne -
I ended up using all 40g leads on a 10g cartridges and with 2.5 g tracking
the lead mounted on the outside of the I-beam and the rood pointing inwards the I end up mid on the I-beam scale.

As kids, the teeter totter taught us good physics lessons. Remember trying to ride it with an adult. They had to sit up in front of the seat closer to the midpoint of the beam. It was no fun this way. Even worse when they did sit in the seat, were in control, and were nasty and jumped off quickly, allowing us to fall to the ground fast and hard.The teeter totter is the most fun when both riders are on the end of the seats, same weight..

Option One

Start losing the bodies (lead) off the end of the plank, to get to the highest number on the I Beam. This is documented in the manual. This will give your cartridge the highest vertical inertia.

Option Two - preferred.

Get the new long I beam, and with the help of physics, you will need 1/2 the lead or less, to attain the same result.

My XV1 is 12.6 grams.

ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
2,041 posts
 
vpi - cost is no object.

Harry -the vintage Platine Granito is pure machine. Every part has its purpose. There are $25k Garrard setups being sold. How much of that cost - percentage - is in getting that finished furniture/car look on those plinths ? Sorry but could not resist .....

Design is important. But when it comes to TT setups. A well setup less cost TT can out perform a more expensive one that is not set up right. Its not plug and play as we know. But in the end based on my experiences, and in all my hobbies not just this one, the better design has the most potential when done right.

vpi's avatar
vpi
223 posts
 
@ct0517
Chris,
My comment regarding your Verdier was unadulterated envy.  I confess my infatuation with the 301's is in large part visual.   Current projections indicate when all said and done I should have less than $2500 in it with total mechanical refurb, very nice solid wood plinth (furniture) and a nearly new arm. The paint on the chassis is nearly mint so no expense for a paint job.  When my project is complete I hope it provides enjoyable listening too. I suspect I will end up with cartridges that tend more to the vintage sound than my Delos and VDH Black Beauty..  Perhaps even some MM or MI, but the proof will be in the listening.
Harry
shfinne
10 posts
 
Harry, 

I have a London Decca Gold, love that sound. If it's good "old" sound well that can be a way to go ;))))))

Styrk
slaw's avatar
slaw
23,593 posts
 
From what I understand, the meshing of a London Decca to any tonearm is to be carefully thought through.
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