Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

Can anyone describe the symptoms / downside of over pressure?

Initially (recent history as I have had this arm since '85) it seemed that the music dulled a bit above 16 psi.

After replacing the spring suspension in my TNT mk 1? with delrin cups and racquet balls I don't think I can hear any difference between 15 - 19 psi.

Can you visually inspect an ET 2 manifold to determine what PSI its set up for ?

Chris,

The manifolds look the same, there were no exterior markings. You would need a pressure and flow gauge to determine the manifold type. Thanks

brucet

On 1/17/2012 9:49 PM, wrote:

Hi Bruce
A question from an owner that bought an ET2 used.
other than hooking it up to a pump to see what it can handle -
Is it possible to visually inspect a manifold to determine what pressure it's set up for ?
Can the differences be seen - Are there specs for the different PSI's ?

thank u - Chris

Full Disclaimer – I am not a dealer, distributor, or manufacturer of this ET2 tonearm. I am just a user and a fan. I started this thread looking for an exchange of information between ET2 owners new, experienced and soon to be, with the objective that we can all improve our ET2 setups through these discussions.

If one were to purchase a new ET 2.5 today, can anyone recommend a new, moderately priced turntable that could be fit with an arm board that is compatible ?

Since no one has responded I will post my thoughts and see if anyone comments.

I think of it this way:

As the pressure is increased the volume of air used increases and this is dependent on the clearance between the manifold and spindle. At some point that escaping air will become obvious in two ways, one being the noise created and the other will be horizontal force on the arm at the end of travel.

The increase in pressure will also make the tube / manifold interface stiffer and I think this is what causes the increased performance. It seems to me the the stiffer the better as long as other factors such as oscillations, vibration etc. from the escaping air don't rise to a
level that they cause problems.

My arm is a very early version, so certainly not optimized for higher pressure, and I can feel the air escaping at 19 psi but I can't hear it yet. I have not tried to determine if it introduces significant horizontal force. As I stated in my post I could hear some of the life or vibrancy go out of the music when I increased the pressure but since I have tightened up the suspension I no longer notice this change.

It would be interesting to ask Bruce about this. I suspect that as the pressure increases he reduces the clearance between the manifold and tube. There must be a point of diminishing returns and I wonder where he thinks it is.

As I think back on what I did I also made some adjustments to tighten things up on the arm / mounting board around the same time I changed the suspension so that may also be a factor.

I should plumb the pressure regulator so I can sit at the listening position and adjust the pressure so it is easier to evaluate changes.

Hi David - please tell us what moderately priced TT means -budget range ? Does it have to be brand new ?

As I look at my naked TNT II without tonerarm I can see the one bolt that secures the ET2. The bolt is located about 2 5/8 inches from the nearest part of the platter and one inch above the spindle. Draw a horizontal line one inch above the spindle. a vertical line 2 5/8 inches beside platter. Where they join is the spot approximately just to give you an idea. It can be mounted anywhere "around" the platter as you only need a straight line to make it work.

It is a universal mount design only the one threaded bolt needs to be drilled unless you plan on running wires and the air tube through a plinth as well.

You can get info by going to the Eminent Technology website.

Go to Support, Manuals ET2 Manual Part 2 - See Pages 62-63

or

The manual can also be downloaded from Vinyl Engine
ET-2 Manual

Let us know if any questions.

Cheers Chris