Eminent Technology ET-2 Tonearm Owners

Hello all,
Long time away.  I’m about to wander off topic again.  Awhile back I picked up a Denon DL-103M cartridge which I understand many consider the best of the 103 series.  In any event I wasted no time shipping it out to Andy Kim at the Record Doctor.  Andy installed his recommended “upgrade” which I believe was boron cantilever and hyper elliptical stylus.  When I got it back I thought it sounded quite “nice” on the VPI, ET-2 and Garrard 301, Ortofon rigs but nothing to really crow about.   Well, recently I was given a Denon DP-61f turntable in impeccable condition.  (Yep, that’s right, a mid-fi, fully automatic table with adjustable Q no less.). In short order I installed the Denon cartridge and sat back prepared to hear some nice mid-fi music.  Wow, was I surprised.  I’m not sure what’s causing it unless it is just a great symmetry between a Denon table and a Denon cartridge but it is giving my much more expensive rigs a run for their money.  Lots of prat, quite detailed but not harsh and extended on both ends.  A fun 

Considering taking the plunge on a London Decca Super Gold for my ET-2. Was there a consensus about the viability of the current version (SG3) using them with the stock ET-2 aluminum wand tonearm without having a dampening trough?

I'm generally playing VG to VG+ used jazz, country and soul records.  Not beaters, but definitely not pristine audiophile records.  My current Nagaoka MP-110 (which I guess is known as a slightly above average tracker?) tracks just fine.

I also don’t have the ET-provided cartridge alignment card. Given how low the cartridge body rides how hard is it to get the cartridge alignment set? I currently use an old record that I’ve etched aline down from the spindle hole to the outer edge as a guide and it’s difficult to set with my old eyes.

IMO, it's worth the cost to get a DB System alignment gauge for the ET. May be able to print something off of www.vinylengine.com 

@ct0517 Agreed Chris - when you build/modify your own DIY equipment, it is personal and relinquishing that equipment is harder. I essentially reached the end of my stereo DIY building...as well as reached the end of working on muscle cars 12 years ago. I am almost done running my final ham radio antenna experiments.

I think the key is knowing you can always do more upgrades, builds and experiments, but you have to determine the point at which "you" want to stop; more so if you are still curious about orthogonal areas that require learning something completely new - which takes time to be competent. You end up trading off time and where you want to spend it...tradeoffs.

I sold off all my automotive tools and parts (engine crane, ignition analyzers, pullers, carbs, cams, etc) for restoration work. That first "release" was hard to let go. I subsequently sold off my duplicate voltmeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators for DIY stereo and ham radio builds (just kept one scope, one volt ohm and one Weller soldering workstation for future repairs). Selling off this gear / parts was much easier after letting go of my automotive gear and parts. I recently sold off my duplicate stereo gear (no second room gear or backup gear or parts...except spare vacuum tubes) - no sentiment experienced.

I will probably continue practicing piano and playing recitals for another 10 to 15 years and call that quits. Maybe I will pickup painting...

I am looking for help.  So thanks for taking the time to read.

I am trying to get my 30 yr old Oracle / ET arm working again.  The first thing I did was take the table to the local Audio store.  They took a look at it and did not give me confidence that it was worth fixing.  Somewhere between transporting the table to the store and taking it back the swing of the tone arm has been significantly lowered.  The link below are pictures of the ET
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bbQALFNotPbF9Jec8
You can see that the two positions of the tone are are well below the platter.  It was not like that before.  My guess is that the support that holds the cueing lever in place slipped down.  But I do not see any indication of that happening.
I know that this is a sensitive installation, it was working fine 20 years ago and I don't want to cause any additional problems.
Also any thoughts on the best way to start up using again.  I have replaced the large filter that was inline and the aquarium like pump seems to be operational.  I did a basic cleaning of the arm and started up the pump to see if all was working.  It seemed to go smooth.  But I have not tested it on a record.  I may have real issues with the Oracle motor.

Thanks - Dave