I’m with you frogman. The first wiring in an analog system is that in the arm, and the most important to improve if need be. A whole industry popped up to cure the sub-standard Rega arm wiring, but a lot of other arms need it just as badly. A single, unbroken run from cartridge tags to RCA plugs is great, but some systems incur hum problems from the unshielded internal wiring being outside the arm. Some rewiring kits include shielding sleeves for the exposed wire, which often prevents any hum problem. The delicate internal wire is very fragile, and it doesn’t take much to break it off RCA jacks, or even the Cardas RCA block, so take care. I speak from experience!
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 ?
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Frogman, I can only second what you wrote! To hear the elimination of contacts or to compare different connectors under controlled listening tests has been my most educating experience in audio. I think the effect of contacts on sound quality are highly underrated. I guess that from the omnipresence of brass based "professional gold" contacts in a wide field of the audiophile market. Listen once, never return back.I was an anti-WBT low-budget "snob" :-) but the copper based WBT RCA connectors and the Clearaudio MPC were hugely better than any silver- or gold-plated brass connector back when I compared these (with ca. 7 identically constructed & oriented silver interconnects). Yo don't get what you haven't paid for - except for soldering directly! |
I made the same change after seeing the nice "loom" made by Take-5 that one of you posted years ago, ordered the Cardas wire, clips and plugs and did my own, my tips on the RCA were not as nice looking, but still functional. Later, bought a second wand from Bruce and made my own new loom with Litz wire I acquired from Trans-fi (the Terminator guy, Vic), he has a smoking deal on kits with clips and reasonably priced wire. Now I can swap cartridges and/or wire much easier, currently very happy with the Litz / Ortrofon Quintet Black combo. |
Audio setup can be like a jungle. Running your setup with a Straight Shot To Preamp "Unshielded Loom", is akin to ....running through the woods naked. Free Willy. Well.... maybe some running shoes. In both cases try to keep the run / loom short for best results, and with running - best not to Free Willy in May when the blackflies are hovering. |
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