Linear tracking tonearms.....

Oilmanmojo
Peter -- on the linear arms, vta will effect vtf and overhang.

This is true for every tonearm (linear or pivoted) except for one - the older ET 2.0, and the current ET 2.5. The reason is the ET tonearm has been designed to optimize the VTA/SRA tracking angle of the cartridge.

To get a picture of the physics involved, imagine a table with a piece of paper on top. Place you hand sideways and holding a pencil marker with your first three fingers lower the marker onto the paper so it makes a mark. Note your hands inner position. Now place a book on the table, Place your hand on top of the book this time and repeat the exercise with the pencil marker. You will see that coming down from a higher point places the overhang closer to your hand. If you could weigh both attempts the vtf in the first - lower try would be heavier.

The ET 2.0 and 2.5 have a worm gear mechanism utilizing a cylinder. As you raise and lower the VTA the whole air bearing spindle moves up and down along the true center line over an accurate path to maintain position. Only the position of the stylus tip with respect to its position in the groove changes. Bruce Thigpen has this mechanism patented.

Oilman - your Maplenoll tonearm is very similar to the ET 1 as Bruce Thigpen used to be the project engineer there before he formed Eminent Technology.
Its an interesting history.

can be read here

03-02-15: Dgarretson
Ditto Trans-Fi Terminator. I have three pivot arms in the drawer(MS-505, EPA-100, Kenwood L07D), but given the steller performance and ease of set-up of Terminator, there is scant motivation to tinker.

I don't recall seeing your comparo of them DG ?

Analog stuff keeps going up in price. Digital keeps coming down. Leave them in the drawer. They will be probably be worth the same if not more next year this time.

Cheers

Exlibris
New ET 2.5 is $4500 American and that does not include the pump system.
Finding a used current 2.5 is very rare.

You will find used ET 2.0 (some over 20 + years Old ) with VTA Blocks and mounting plates in varying states of condition.
They need to be scrutinized before purchase as these parts can not be bought separately.

2.5 is optimized for MC cartridges . 2.0 came out in the heyday of MM's but can still be used with a CF or Magnesium armtube for MC's.
But if MC's is your deal stick with the 2.5. In the end the best results will be with it if using MC.

The other caveat here is that the ET tonearm is probaby the most tweakable tonearm out there period.
Owners had them set up for varying PSI levels with Bruce Thigpen.
It is important if someone finds a used one to determine what PSI it was set up for.
You can find these answers and tips for buying on the ET2 thread and by contacting Bruce Thigpen directly.

Cheers

Then a ET 2.0 will do just fine.

You just missed out on a rare NOS one