Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

@ct0517 

End of November 2020 I was having my Sota Saphire restored by Sota.  Since I had the ET2 removed (before I shipped table), I called ET; I was checking in to see if there was any other maintenance / updates that I should have done by ET.  A gentleman responded, not Bruce.

I could be wrong, but I don't think Bruce is working (maybe retired?) with ET anymore. The gentleman said ET focusing only on speakers now; I think I recall him saying the machining was just too labor intensive so they are just focusing on speakers.  I don't even think they are doing any more service work.  Not sure about parts, but I suspect they are selling off whatever non speaker products/parts related to arms left in inventory...as mentioned on their website re. buying an ET2.5.

@stuogawa 

FWIW I contacted the main email last week about a missing VTA lever and Bruce (or at least somebody with Bruce's email and signature) responded.

@stuogawa @djspinner  et al 

Bruce is around. He just responded to my email.  

Chris,

  Yes, we can still perform service on the ET-2 and parts, I hope this
helps - brucet

With that. 
We all recognize that Bruce will not be around forever, but this tonearm IMO is indestructible. I mean, if its disassembled in parts in its box, and you accidentally leave it on the driveway and run it over, that's one thing. Barring an accident it will outlive all of us. Its biggest threat is moisture in the air line and minerals deposits, that can land on the manifold blocking air flow and movement. Even then the ET2 manual can be downloaded and does a great job of explaining how to clean it. Unlike mechanical bearings that go dry and stiff, if you have a good trap for moisture there is nothing really to do except maybe keep it covered when not used for protection against dust. Pumps are easily replaced. JMO

So given those factors, a cartridge with a compliance number higher than 20 should pair best with my current tonearm setup?

Hi Djspinner 

From a numbers view point it would be the most "plug and play".... but here's the thing. I can tell you that there are people here that are using very low compliance carts like the Denon 103 with the aluminum armwand, and they have made changes in their kit to improve "the sound". Some have modified the actual aluminum armtube itself, added less resonant wrap to it, or filled the head of the wand with material. Others have made other modifications further down the chain of gear.  fwiw also I run all MC cartridges with no load. If your preamp/phono stage can take it and stay stable...try it.

@stuogawa 

Hi Stu - what speakers are those in your room?  

Cheer Chris  

@ct0517

I built and using the Siegfried Linkwitz’ LX mini + 2 speakers

https://www.linkwitzlab.com/LXmini/LXmini+2.htm

Siegfried and Nelson Pass (Pass Labs / PassWorks) collaborated and designed an active analog JFET crossover for the this specific system (neighbors in NorCal). Fun build.

https://www.magiclx521.com/epages/17940394.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/17940394/Products/%22ASP%20mi...

I was a 30 plus year fan of bipolar speakers (Acoustats, Magnaplanar II’s and Tympani’s). I stumbled upon the Linkwitz/Pass collaboration at the San Francisco Burning Amp about 4 years ago. These were also a fun build...and now my final speakers for my lifetime. 

System to drive the LX Mini + 2 system:

Sota --> Wavestream Kinetics phono tube preamp --> Wavestream Kinetics tube line --> Pass crossover

Pass crossover output 1 (full range) to MFA 200c tube mono amps --> LX mini Seas full range speaker

Pass crossover output 2 (woofer) to Audio Research SS --> LX mini Seas woofer

Pass crossover output 3 (sub woofer) to Audio Research SS --> LX subs (Seas)