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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
gyneguy225
68 posts
 
I don't believe that Bruce's aluminum base will do the trick. It's just a thin metal plate which you put between the armboard and ET-2 base, to prevent the feet of the base from digging into a wooden armboard. I vote for a new thicker metal armboard by hook or crook.
John
vpi's avatar
vpi
194 posts
 
Following up.  I emailed Bruce.  He thought the longer leveling spikes were the best solution and is sending me some.  Thanks again for all your suggestions. I will report results even though all you guys have long ago blown by my lowly HW 19.🙄
Harry

P.S. Pegasus, I actually thought of your wedge solution but glue on my beloved Delos?  Horrors! 😱

vpi's avatar
vpi
194 posts
 
John,
Didn't mean to blow off your suggestion of thicker arm board.  It is my preferred solution.  I'm going to keep my eyes open for one.  Failing that, next time I am feeling masochIstic I'll tear down the table and take my arm board to my local acrylic store to have it duplicated in thicker stock. :)
Thanks,
Harry

gyneguy225
68 posts
 
I wouldn't have thought you could gain a lot of height from longer spikes, but  Bruce knows best.
I emailed him about the joint with only two mounting holes, and asked if getting the manifold even with the platter was critical.
-No response as yet.
John
ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
1,798 posts
 

Hi Guys

I have used longer leveling spikes in the past which is why I recommended them. The word spikes imo is misleading. Spikes to me, mean something like this.

Spikes

Long Pointing Spikes would not be recommended. They remind me of the point on my old VPI unipivot tonearm. Pegasus some time ago did a good explanation on what happens with the point and chatter.

The leveling feet in the ET2 mounting base are actually grub screws. If you see this link

Pointed Grub Screws

you can see why longer ones would not be an issue. They are strong. the ones in the pic are not the ones Harry is getting. Just a sample for the link.

Harry, when you said Aluminum Base earlier I misunderstood and thought you meant Bruce’ new Aluminum base, not the Aluminum protector as I call it. The other thing I do and this comes from all the experimentation I did, is to drop some oil in all vertical holes that connect say the tonearm to the armboard. I drop some oil into the ET2 base hole - the one the actual bolt that holds down the tonearm goes into, if the bolt is going into metal - aluminum, brass, etc...

Did you find out why John’s gooseneck only has two holes ? :^)


Cheers Chris



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