Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

@chris
I think the reason for the ET2 spindle design was
a) it was quite brillant with any cartridge (and still is).
b) the ET2 spindle is ca. 23 g vs. 31g (ET 2.5). This concerns horizontal mass 1:1.
Also the bearings outer tube is considerably heavier. This concerns compatibilty with sprung subchassis.

Mid 80's there were a lot of english (and swiss/german) tables around, with rel. lighweight sprung subchassis. Minimizing mass was important for compatibility.And keeping the spindle (and horizontal) mass low was important for optimized MM & MC compatibility. (If only not to stand too much out in the theoretical rain concerning "much too high horizontal mass").

The high pressure bearing increased stiffness of the bearing, and the larger spindle increases stiffness of the bearing by an additional factor of 2.5! The ET2 bearing is stiff to begin with (it's not the "intuitive" air cushion one imagines), but the  ET2.5s large surface high pressure bearing is even stiffer by (guessed) almost an order of magnitude.
Practice shows that even the high compliance B&O MMC1 "likes" the heaviest ET2.5 configuration, without getting hickups.(as it "likes" a longhorn stabilizer even though the coupling of the  cantilever to the body is of rel. low stiffness.)

You sound happy with your 2.5 Pegasus. Be glad that Bruce is not based in Europe with an audiophile mentality. His prices would probably be double. 8^0

I think the manufacturer builds product, and provides general guidelines based on his/her design, testing, etc.... Then the product gets into audiophile hands and all hell breaks loose. Music lovers use products as designed I have found. They don’t have a temptation to tweak and just enjoy the music. Audiophiles are more likely to break the rules and go against guidelines.

This can be good and bad. Its good if they come up with "tweaks" that encourages the manufacturer to upgrade - improve on their design. Bruce’ more recent examples of this include the Long I Beam (reducing the lead weight requirement by half), Aluminum mounting plate, and Aluminum Joint (Gooseneck) that holds the armwand to the air bearing spindle........ replacing the previous Carbon Fiber.

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Vinyl versus Digital Shootouts

I started doing shoot out’s with my son when he visits. We put on a record album, and queue up the same album on Tidal HiFi .....15 seconds later. Adjusting for volume we switch between the two. The way I used to play with 15 IPS tape versus vinyl. Yeah doing some venturing on the dark side over the holidays.

Result/Findings.
As good as Tidal HiFi sounds ....CD quality and better, my son is getting an awakening on how good vinyl really is. He then starts asking questions about the chain of events, from the needle drop and how we get the sound out. Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel for all these records after all. He is also fascinated with how a piece of long string, around a platter, is able to keep the music in time (the tempo and rhythm of the music) as good as the digital stream, as far as the human ear is concerned.
I admit as well it is a lot of fun switching between different re-masters of the Beatles albums and the like, with just a click.
Cheers

Here is a rare 2.5 for sale - the latest version on the Reverb website.
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Not affiliated with the ad. Good luck.

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Buying Tip

When negotiating price with the seller, who happens to be a dealer - do not mention 2.5 to them........or the MAG arm wand ........ 8^)

https://reverb.com/item/29975050-thorens-td-125-mkii-w-et-tonearm-2-air-arm-airtech-surge-tank-reser...

Chris
I have my eye on this package.
Thoughts?

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa0g44-sota-sapphire-turntable-with-eminent-technology-air-bearing-tone-arm-turntables

Kevin,
That's an ET 1.0 tonearm on the SOTA.
Bruce' first version not counting his early work collaboration with Mapleknoll. IMO- that's more for the collector.

But we know how collectors are .. very few ET1's around. So price wise? .....whatever a collector is willing to pay.

I would be jumping on the ET 2.5 w/Mag Wand. That person selling knows not what he is selling - it probably came from an estate. Just sell the turntable ........if only the tonearm is of interest.

I didn't mention it to you privately as you had just bought speakers. 8^0

Cheers Chris