Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

Hi Leon-Krige - welcome to the thread.

I've just bought a used ET 2 arm with an old Goldmund Studio (which I'm restoring to look like new, it was damaged badly)

Was the ET2 tonearm damaged as well ?

I've bought a 50 litre compressor to run the arm, but this is all brand new to me, any other advice would be most welcome.

The base ET2 needs just 3 psi to work. Did the package you bought come with the standard pump to work with first just to get up and running?

VdHul MC10

I've had great success & many years of pleasure from Goldmund Studietto with VdHul MC 10, so I'm tempted by the Colibri XPM or similar as there are special deals on offer, but I've read many conflicting reports & warnings against Colibri on a linear tracking arm.

Its the best sounding modern cartridge I've heard, but very high risk, I can only afford one cartridge which should last for many years, so really can't make a mistake on this. My old MC 10 has been retipped once, still sounds stunning after 27 years... thats what I'm hoping for on ET 2.

The VdHul MC 10 looks identical to my Benz Micro MC3 that I have used for many years in the ET2, ET 2.5.

The ET tonearm is unique in design, and setup requirements and this includes other linear trackers. It has a patented VTA system. There will be a learning curve with it. For this reason initially I would use a cartridge that mistakes can be made on. Everybody needs to walk first with an ET2 before you can run. There are no exceptions to this. Once running however you don't look back. This has been my personal experience and those I know that use the ET 2.0 or ET 2.5.

Regarding conflicting reports & warnings against a Colibri on a linear tracking arm - you hear alot of 'stuff" on the internet. I am interested in seeing some of these reports. We can help you debug them. Get the facts and weed out the myths and audiophile heresay. Feel free to share links or any information. At the high level view my opinion is unless the author provides specifics I always ignore these reports. I feel with most people who are genuine with no agenda; if they have had a good or bad personal experience, they are willing to share details with others and try to help them.

Colibri

Technical Data:
Stylus Shape: VDH - IS
Stylus Radii: 2 x 85 Micron
Frequency Range: 5 - 65.000 Hz
Tracking Force: 13.5 - 15 mN
Static Compliance: 35 Micron/mN
Tracking Ability at 15mN at 315Hz: 70 Micron
Channel Unbalance: < 0.5 dB
Channel Separation at 1kHz / 10kHz: > 35 / > 30 dB
Equivalent Stylus Tip Mass: 0.24 Milligram
Vertical Tracking Angle : 22 Degrees

fwiw - I have used a sonus blue gold cartridge loaded at .3 vtf with the ET2. It has a compliance rating of 50 with no issues. I also use an XV1 at 10 x 10-6 cm/dyn.

Please skim through the ET2 manual.

Key parts of the manual to me.

Page 28 - for proper counterweight setup
Page 39 - cleaning the air bearing (especially if bought used)
Page 46 and onward - Advanced tonearm/vinyl info.
Antiskating and Frequency Modulation Distortion
A must read for anyone serious about their vinyl setup.

Hoepfully this info is helpful to start.

Cheers Chris

Just to add imo the Achilles heel for the ET2 is documented quite clearly in the manual on page 47 by Bruce.

"If you like to play severely eccentric records, ones with run out greater than 1/8th of an inch, then we suggest you use a low mass pivoted arm.”

My experiences is the ET2 is not limited by the cartridge, but the record itself, and the wiring positioning.

I can't imagine anyone at this level of vinyl play using eccentric records with expensive cartridges ?

Hello Chris,

Thanks a mill for your reply, I started feeling like a dumb blonde novice, (ok lets face it at this stage I am...)

Still setting up the space with the compressor etc, the Studio should be fine now, broken wires repaired, checked speed etc, all good to go, I've lasercut some plexiglass sheets to hide the glue & holes which the previous owner left.

Visibly the ET arm looks fine, hope its mechanically sound, I just always wanted a Studio as extension of the baby Goldmund which has given me 30 years of joy, but I've heard incredible reports about the ET arm, so I will learn slowly. There was no pump, likewise no powersupply with the STudio, I'm using the home built PS from my Studietto which is good.

Hence the compressor which will be linked from a stairwell below, I figured it would work to use the 50l tank as the air supply, not really to run it while playing, if this is a bad idea please let me know, I haven't opened the compressor box yet, just heard its a good alternative?

PS: Not fixed on the Colibri, but it sounded incredible on a friends Dynavector tonearm, despite his warnings that the cantilever angle is not aligned with the cartridge, is difficult to set up, & apparently it swerves very far out on its path playing on linear tracking arms. (from Vusi Khumalo who has posted some well informed threads on this forum)

I can only afford one good cartridge, no mistakes, hence the questions asked, some heavily discounted Colibris were on offer on this site, that's where I picked up the idea. But I've heard controversial feedback whether they are first grade cartridges, hence the concern, I just can't afford a mistake, single dad, university teacher, not a stockbroker!
For the moment I will mount my old MC 10 & learn from it.

Thanks again for the encouragement & advice, it helps a ton to know there are well informed users out there, this is definitely not a walk in the vinyl park...

Hi Leon_Krige (LK)

sorry for the long post.

PS: Not fixed on the Colibri, but it sounded incredible on a friends Dynavector tonearm, despite his warnings that the cantilever angle is not aligned with the cartridge, is difficult to set up, & apparently it swerves very far out on its path playing on linear tracking arms. (from Vusi Khumalo who has posted some well informed threads on this forum)

thanks for that info. very interesting.
Sounds like an intoxicated cartridge that can't walk the fine straight line needed for a linear tracker - a line that can be anywhere on an LP. Improper setup on a linear arm results in a walk that may start ok at the outside grooves but is off at the end. Or its off at the start and ends up on the line on the inner grooves. This is all due to incorrect setup - user error. This is why it is important to do 3 measurements - at the outer grooves, middle and inner grooves. But I've never heard of one when setup properly "swerves very far out on its path"

A cartridge like this if it were "really true" would be of little use to me regardless of its discount; or maybe its just me and the result of having too many beers with the bears this summer. I am just not getting this swerve out part. Never heard of a cartridge exhibiting this kind of behavior. Its true there is no place to hide with a linear tracker. If its out you will know. This is not the case with a pivot arm where from most people I have talked to, only a small percentage can actually hear the two spots on records that their cartridge is actually in the sweetspot; the other times not. I remember this was audible with my dynavector arm in my main room and I believe I discussed this on my virtual page blog. So if someone can't hear it thats good. Of my more recent pivot arms in my rooms I found the Dynavector the most neutral (compared to MTC's) with the JMW12 and FR64s both producing bass bumps (assuming a LF resonance). I also recall in my room 2 requiring two different sub settings with the Quad 57 on full range material. One for the FR64s and one for the DV505.

Here is the culprit

And here is a Colibri thread

Interesting comments from that thread...

and yes, on some pressings wonderful, others it was not happy and edgy.

Some have cantilevers that are not parallel to the body, and they dont have the same height and VTA.

The question I have is were the pressing that sounded wonderful and others not happy and edgy cut at the same plant, same way ?
Some info for consideration.

Page. 56 ET2 manual.

Conclusions

1) Not all cartridges will be improved by using them at some angle other than the intended design angle. (The top of the cartridge parallel to the surface of a record)
2) The European record vertical cutting angle standard closely matches the vertical angles present in phono cartridges today. There is a need for a universal record cutting standard which closely matches this.
3) If the measuring vertical tracking angle of a cartridge is high (greater than 22 degrees) its vertical performance will probably be improved by tilting it back (2 or 3 degrees) (front goes up) to match present vertical angles on records.
4)If the measured vertical tracking angle of a cartridge is 18 to 20 degrees. It will probably perform best when its top is mounted parallel to the surface of the record.
5)Some cartridges are very sensitive to small changes in VTA, others are not.

Page 51 - discusses how most records are cut between 16 and 20 degrees. Seems the Colibri from its specs at 22 degrees falls into points 3 and 5 ?

When records are cut differently we can hear this on resolving systems. And we have discussed this here a number of times. When VTA adjustments are made we know its a good thing to have a tonearm that will not any change parameters like VTF and keep things intact. When two audio friends change the VTA on their Kuzma Airline - the VTF changes. this was confirmed. Its physics.
Now lets ask ourselves - what is going to happen when you play with the VTA on a cartridge like the Colibri that is revealing, needs fantastic alignment to start of with; and it needs to keep it there. You need a tonearm that changes no parameters. imo - there is a reason the VTA on the ET2 is patented. Bruce happens to be a good business person.

fwiw - from an alignment (NOT COST) point of view this applies imo to our cracker jack cartridge 420 str as well.

Have a look at its stylus next to its brother and sister

The one on the right - is the top sibling- very revealing - can be a real PITA, if not set up properly or your tonearm, or your tonearm changes parameters when you adjust VTA. It is affected by point 5 imo.

Try this experiment. Get a long permanent marker. two pieces of different height wood and a piece of paper.
Place paper on table, the lower of the two wood pieces on the paper. make a line where it rests on the inside.
Hold the marker loosely in your hand between the thumb and index finger and rest it on the lowest of the pieces of wood.
Bring the marker down slowly so it makes a spot on the paper.
With the outline of the previous wood clearly visible, put the higher wood piece down.
Repeat the exercise and place the marker down again. The marker makes a spot in a different location. It will be closer to your hand and the marker is at different angle as well.

If you could weigh the weight of the marker on the paper, it would be lighter with the higher elevated piece of wood.

How do I know this? Because I tried I tried this test with every pivot arm I have ever owned. You can't defeat physics.

I find it interesting that the only thing I currently own that was made by VanDenHul is the stock factory silver wiring inside my main speakers. I may also have an old ET2 wire loom with his wire.

I just can't afford a mistake, single dad, university teacher, not a stockbroker!

:^)

LK
My job has taken me to many different fields of work and I have had to interview the folks who make those industries, companies, organizations tick and can't be without if something happened. Stockbrokers were the least generous with their time and very selfish overall about what they do. Like trying to get blood from a stone. Teachers were always very forthcoming with info and also showed a real need to want to give us the best info to help the students.

I am curious to know how well the previous owner mounted the ET2 on your table (especially if you are going to consider mounting a Colibri). Do you get good alignment on the line for the outside, middle and inside grooves. Also how well is the VTA worm gear working. It should be smooth and remain level when raising and lowering. The lever firmness can be adjusted.
You strike me as the type that is going to have a lot of fun learning with the ET2. This means I am probably going to be learning from you too. So I look really look forward to your progress. Pls keep us updated.

I am off to go meet up with some bear friends. Richard if you see this I have decided to wear the bell this year when I run.

Cheers

Dover.
Ketchup, me and probably others are still waiting for some pics of the aluminium goose neck and hopefully the titanium wand from you.

Look forward to this.