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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
1,798 posts
 
Run away ET2 Spindle.

Indicates a problem with leveling, wiring or manifold.

Some options.

Leveling - the ET2 spindle in the manifold is extremely slippery. Almost feels friction-less. No bubble level is accurate enough. Level with Gravity only. I use a Blue Tac pancake on the lead weights and make the armtube free float with VTF 0.

Wiring - Push or Pull from the wiring as the spindle in manifold is very slippery. I have found where wire exits the armtube immediately down and over to your phono in a happy face loop is the least intrusive.

Location where the wire connects at the opposite side is at the mid-point of arm spindle travel.

Manifold -

Couple of things to try.

Take a draft leak detector pencil (bought at Home Depot for $5 dollars) and place near each end of the manifold. Is the air exiting creating similar flows or is one side more active? They should be the same.

Remove the manifold and check the torque on the screws. Ensure they are torqued the same. Check for water deposits of minerals in and around the holes, screws. Clean it out.

This pic was posted previously on this thread (from a friend)
Before and After Manifold Cleaning

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shfinne
10 posts
 
The way I level is by using test record with blank track.

I can't see how to setup corectly with out one.
analogluvr
800 posts
 
I have been following this thread as I now have 2 ET 2's and a 1. Only one 2 running for now though. I have set up a audioquest 7000nsx and am being rewarded with great sound. Not sure of the specs of this older cartridge though so I was wondering if anyone had those and how you guys would recommend me setting this up. I only have the aluminum wand but am thinking of springing for another. And I am going to buy some more I beams with different springs.
Also Chris I believe we may be almost neighbours! I tried to email you but it bounced back.
If anyone has a accutrex for sale I could be tempted to purchase it.
frogman
4,637 posts
 
Output: 0.3mV
Stylus: nude line contact 0.3 x 1.6mil
Compliance: 9 x 10-6cm/Dyne
Mass: 9g
Load Impedance: >40 ohms
Tracking: 1.75 to 1.8g

Nice cartridge. I had the original 7000 mounted on my ET2 for a short time during a period when my system was making the transition from all ss (Threshold, BEL) to all tube. My original 7000 was a very detailed cartridge which I much preferred to the other Scantech (Lyra Clavis and Spectral) cartridges that I tried around that time. The 7000 was a little warmer and sumptuous than the other two which I found to be way too zippy and lean, but in the context of my all ss/heavily modified Magnepan MGIIIA's there still wasn't enough "meat on the bones" for me. I highly recommend you try the magnesium arm wand. A single leaf spring I-beam will produce a "fuller" sound, but I usually end up with the double leaf spring for a more organized sound that is less "lumpy" in the bass. Good luck!
shfinne
10 posts
 
Will a London decca gold fit on 2.5 alu ?
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