Linear tracking turntables, whatever happened?

It seems I really started something here which is wonderful.
However most of it is way over my head and makes me think I must be missing out big time on my vinyl reproduction.
But then I step back take a deep breath and put a record on and think, "well if it gets better than this I am not sure I really need it!"

Keep up the banter and information as some of it is sinking in!

@ct0517  my comment of disbelief about how much they sell for was more directed at the used market where you can pick them up for around 1000$

@uberwaltz,

It's a great hobby. The idea of the stylus tracing a record exactly as the cutting head makes perfect sense. Yet there are different ways of going about it for the best sound, the least wear on records etc... If you're looking to fall in love, (as I did) years ago, just like @ct0517 mentioned earlier, "LTL", you have that outlet to explore.

Brooks Berdan was (RIP) my turntable guy, and he loved the ET. He was first mounting it on the Oracle (a table for which he came up with a mod, which Oracle themselves eventually incorporated), and later the VPI's, particularly the TNT. The arm likes a high mass platform, which VPI's of course are. He was also a Versa Dynamics dealer, but that linear tracking arm/table was a LOT more money.

analogluvr
@ct0517 my comment of disbelief about how much they sell for was more directed at the used market where you can pick them up for around 1000$

analogluvr et al

Taken from Stereophile data.
Description: Air-bearing straight line tonearm with detachable arm tubes. Wide range of user adjustments.
Price: $850 (1984); $950 (1989–1991); $2900 (ET2.5, 2011).

  
Now taken from the Brooks Berdan website

"Eminent Technology was established in 1983 to create innovative products in the audio field. Eminent Technology's first product was a air bearing straight line tracking tonearm for phonograph playback. This was the first implementation of a captured air bearing for tonearm use. Eminent Technology's second product, dubbed the ET-2, was a more advanced version of the captured air bearing tonearm concept and it went on to become the most successful selling high-end tonearm."

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Sales Strategy 

To those that read between the lines - summarized above is the pricing and the marketing strategy that made it the most successful. IMO - This sales strategy was not about putting out 25 pieces and charging the highest audiophile pricing like is done with some of todays products. This was about bringing this technology to everyone. To help achieve this the sales strategy placed the tonearm as an option on the most popular tables of the day.

Now owners pass on, and inheritors put these arms up for sale. One reason they come up on ebay. If one comes up on Ebay ask the seller what PSI the arm was set up for. It can run on 3 psi and the early ones partnered on SOTA, Oracle, VPI tables were probably these versions; unless the previous owners had a higher pressure manifold put on.

Bruce Thigpen also customized each manifold PSI setting based on customer needs, for those tonearms sold that were sold individually.

We have discussed how to determine what PSI the ET2 manifold/air bearing has been set for on the ET2 Tonearm Owners thread.
(in the case of someone buying one used on the market)

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Frigid temps here again today Uberwaltz - shaping up for a Digital afternoon warmup and then bring in the heavy vinyl artillery.