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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
apbiii
39 posts
 
Chris,

The cartridge that I use has medium / low compliance (15x10-6) or thereabouts.

I am using three small or one large weight and it is in the area of 5 on the beam.

I did notice a little leaner sound with the double leaf spring but found a loss in bass so I went back to the single leaf. For what it is worth I play and listen to a lot of live acoustic music (I play guitar and upright bass in a bluegrass / old time setting several times a week) and I am not a fan of the lean hard sound some folks claim is "Hi Fi".

I did change the VTA a bit but my cartridge does not seem to be terribly sensitive to VTA.
ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
2,041 posts
 
Apbiii – interesting, well the cartridge will always be the decider on the settings we use. With my higher compliance cartridge moving the lead weights from #5 on the IBeam to the end of the Ibeam changes the sound, as well as making changes to the VTA.

You’ve got me curious - are you able to get the VTF you need with two small weights – one less and stay on the IBeam ? If possible pls try this for me. I'd like to see if it makes a difference with the lower compliance cartridge. Remember those pirate movies with the plank they put people on? My weights are sitting on the end of that plank right now.

My fraternal twins killed my singing/playing career . But now I have the pleasure of hearing my daughter sing in her school jazz band, play piano and my son plays acoustic guitar. I do however play tapes at 15 ips for reference in my room. The sound is not lean/hard. It is very analog.

Cheers
apbiii
39 posts
 
Chris, I can't get the correct tracking force with only two small weights.
ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
2,041 posts
 
understand thx. Apbiii
ct0517's avatar
ct0517 OP
2,041 posts
 
Hi Guys – I tried my highest compliant cartridge tonight on the SP10MKII w/ET2.0 HP Manifold with a triple leaf I-Beam.

A Sonus Blue Gold Cartridge.

Frequency Response - 20Hz - 45kHz
Tracking Force - 1.0-1.5g
Mass - 5.5g
Stylus Tip - special modified line contact
Dynamic Compliance 50x10-6cm/Dyne

This was the first cartridge I bought off the MM thread. A nice enough cartridge but not in the same league as the Empire 4000 Diii. A very smooth presentation overall but not near as dynamic. I call it the Swedish Skidoo.

The triple leaf I beam with lower VTA transformed it into a very dynamic performer. I do not remember it being this lively / open.

Cheers.
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