Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

06-16-13: Ct0517

Richardkrebs - Here is a conundrum. Stylus drag is significant, being able to slow some TT platters.

What about the other side of the coin?
What about a TT platter system that doesn’t slow down with stylus drag, but can’t slow down fast enough after a real tough vinyl passage?
That can sound interesting? Some really like this sound. :^)

Ct0517 – the question I ask myself is
How can someone listen to a direct drive for 30 years, before discovering that the timing is out, and finding a “fix” ?
It would seem to me that they must be less sensitive to timing errors and other artefacts from the speed instability to have put up with this for so long.

Is it possible that the insertion of a lead slug and the removal of the counterweight decoupling on the ET may help to slow down the “sound” on those passages where the composer or conductor got it wrong?

06-15-13: Slaw
I can only add: when I set up a cartridge, I try hard to set the appropriate VTA for said cartridge in the "neutral zone", (my term), of the arc block. The "neutral zone".... This to me is the (center range) of the arc block, where as if I adjust upward or downward, it will have the least effect on overhang, ( which I choose to reserve for differring weights of vinyl), this is in fact the center of the arc. Logic 101! Yes, I choose to make this adjustment for the differring thickness of vinyl records. What makes the ET such a great arm (for me)is for such a choice. Despite what is written in the manual, an up or down adjustment of the arc block results in another adjustment that needs to be corrected for overhang. There is no doubt about it!

06-16-13: Ct0517
Slaw- from my experience if another adjustment is needed for overhang, something is off in the setup.
If the ET2 is setup properly, the mounting base post should be level and true with your platter. The mounting base post is after all what holds the VTA gearing that raises and lowers the ET2. The platter is what the stylus overhang reference gauge rests on. The two are a marriage.
Check level on both. How true they are to each other will determine imo how true your overhang is when you raise and lower the VTA.

Some discussion on overhang is required here.
Back in December last year I posted a postulation that one could consider mounting the cartridge slightly forward of the tangent line. The theory is that if you are running at the tangent then there are no lateral forces on the stylus and it will “chatter”, slowly eroding the high frequency grooves over time.

If you also go back to the Stereophile review posted and read it you will also find that when tracking at the tangent then one channel leads the other by a few milliseconds. See bottom page 86….
http://s1173.photobucket.com/user/CT-993/library/?sort=2&page=1
which can be corrected by running the cartridge forward of tangent.

Slaw- the answer to your VTA adjustability and overhang may be to add a lead slug and remove the counterweight decoupling. With this mod you wont hear any difference if the VTA is out a bit. The only downside is that playback appears in 3/4 time, even when played in 5/4 time.

Alternately, you might be better setting the VTA for the thickest record, and then use shims under the record matt to adjust up the thinner records. This way you will not have the “overhang” problem.

The issue I had with changing VTA on the fly is that the bearing tube can go out of level very easily when adjusting VTA. This may have been due to the fact that I used a single point ground when tightening the bolts holding the bearing to post. Whenever you loosen or tighten the pillar bolts you need to recheck the bearing tube is dead level.

Ct0517
The best Pinot Gris in NZ are from the Central Otago region as are the best Pinot Noir. Even the cheapies from this region will usually be better than from elsewhere in NZ. The Hawkes Bay region is known for its Cabernet/Merlots's and the Marlborough region for Sauvignon Blanc's.
Unfortunately for those with a lead fetish, they must avoid wines with high lead content as it can lead to irrascibility, irritability, confusion and even delirium.
Some of the vinyards to look out for are -
Mt Difficulty - very very good, a tonic for those who are struggling with their ET.
Wooing Tree - something aromatic you could share with Dorothy
Dry Gully - for those that are shall we say "having trouble with the waterworks".
Two Paddocks - this is owned by Sam Neil the famous NZ actor, probably one for those with too many Kangaroos in the top paddock - hence the name Two Paddocks.
As you can see there is a suitable wine for all occasions. In fact after a particularly good meal and Pinot Noir the other night I had a brainwave. I'm going to eliminate the counterweight completely. By my reckoning I can use a helium balloon to hold the cartridge up. I'm just trying to work out how to adjust tracking force up and down down in increments of 0.001g. I think I can do this with a temperature controlled environment used in tandem with the helium balloon.

Dover - The issue I had with changing VTA on the fly is that the bearing tube can go out of level very easily when adjusting VTA. This may have been due to the fact that I used a single point ground when tightening the bolts holding the bearing to post. Whenever you loosen or tighten the pillar bolts you need to recheck the bearing tube is dead level.

An observation on running the wire on the outside of the armtube.

Running the wire in this manner allows one to disengage it; set the ET2 up without it, then add the wire and see how big the influence of the wires is on the leveling of the air bearing spindle.

Its significant.

Some of you may be throwing the level of your VTA post out dealing with the wire influence? The happy face loop going direct to the preamp has worked best for me.

Also to consider - what if your TT platter goes out of level with the changes in season – have you guys ever thought about that ? Its only a few bolts to disassemble and reassemble the ET2 to check the subplate levelling.

When the pillar is assembled the vertical bolts should imo just slightly be touching making firm contact – each side very much the same. Any significant adjustment to the screws for the air bearing spindle should be an indicator that something is out. If it is go back and fix the sub plate level and your turntable platter level.

There is one more option here. More of a bandaid but what the hell. It requires some thought ahead of time. Gather the records you intend to play - lets assume eight of them for example. Sort them by thickness - greatest thickness to the least. Go in one direction with the VTA for your listening session. It will be much smoother even if your pillar post is not perfectly level. Going back and forth on the VTA will make a wrongly setup post more noticeable.

Dover – thanks for the wine recommendations. Dorothy happens to be a whiskey girl. Hardcore all the way just like the ET2. No pussy footing around here.

Her personality is also just like Bruce’s for those that have had the pleasure of talking or emailing with him. All business. If Bruce wasn’t into flying I bet he could come up with a hell of a race car :^)

When any wine is being served I accept it - as it is Gods drink. Well that’s the excuse to my wife. If I have to buy it myself I am more a red wine guy. Prefer wine I can’t see through. So it is Pinot Noir over Gris for me if I had a choice. White wine tends to taste like grape juice to me for some reason and goes down same. Car keys please....

As it is summer here now I enjoy Sleeman Cream Ale while listening to bull frogs and authentic Canadian Loons that have come home.