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Perpetuum Ebner 2040 full size

that70sguy

that70sguy

Well-Known Member
I recently picked up a P/E 2040 turntable in near mint condition. This turntable caught my eye when I went to buy a pair of speakers off CL. So I took this home as well. I've never had experience with this brand, but bought it solely on looks. It also came with a Grado Green cartridge and stylus.

I can't find a whole lot of info on the model and wondering if anyone has experience with the 2040. I've seen pics of the standard model, but this one is wider with a sliding drawer for storing adapters, cartridges, discwasher, etc.

Surprisingly, it sounds very good, although the automatic functions don't always work well. I've been using it as a manual turntable, until I get this serviced.

Does anyone own or had experience with one of these? Below are some pics:

pe2040-1.jpg


pe2040-2.jpg


pe2040-3.jpg


pe2040-4.jpg
 
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Pe2040......

Congratulations on a fine turntable!!!! I have the exact one 1970-71 . Luckily for Bohhey here at Audiokarma he was able to fix the same issues as you describe plus I had Quing issues as well. I use a Shure m95 and a AT71E( I have two phono cartridge holders), I will tell you ,this does not like being swapped out very finicky. Parts are tough I happened to buy two and sent Bill the "parts" unit, that helped him with the idler area of the unit. When I bought mine on the bay it came in pieces so if you connect with Bill make sure you know how to pack, he'll advise etc. PE and Dual became affiliated when PE had30.. numbers and they sort of looked like Dual, as Bill said it looks like Dual on steriods..... I love my PE I think vinyl engine has a picture of mine too. service manuals are scarce and I was able to obtain a operating manual a couple month ago, enjoy get a hold of Bohhey thats some GOOD advice !!:thmbsp:
 
What a beauty, thanks for the pics. My first 'table was a 2018, bought at the end of 1970.

You're making me wish I had it again.
 
Fisher sold them rebadged, and so it parts are needed, don't overlook that possibility. I had one (a Fisher, which is why I know they sold them), and had to rebuild the arm, which is made of a dismaying number of pieces -- about as far from a one piece design as you can get.
But I suspect the most likely issues are simply dried grease related.
Yours is beautiful -- that plinth and dustcover put the Fisher (and all other PEs I've seen) to shame.
 
I like that very much.

The auto size computer with the little levers that pop up is really neat to watch, and from all the pictures I've seen, they appear to be built with real Teutonic overengineering.

I've wanted a PE2020 (the narrower model) for a long time, but they are absolutely scarce here in Australia.

:thmbsp:
 
Thanks everyone for the info and advice. It's definitely a keeper and worth the effort. It's really a beautiful machine and sonically exceeded my expectations.

Glad to see a few PE fans out there.
 
It looks like you have the speed control all the way up -- that seems like it might suggest problems. I would expect it to be in the middle unless you have an off speed record.
 
I have one that I bought new in 1971. It doesn't have that cool base that you have. The cover just lifts off, no hinges. I have all the paperwork for mine. What do you need to know?
 
I had a similar model in college, built into a Kenwood combo unit back in 71. Bought it at Tech HiFi. It was a really beautiful piece of engineering and played magnificently. Envy of the building.
I do miss it, busted it up in a move from one apartment to another, sigh.
 
jimbofish said:
I have one that I bought new in 1971. It doesn't have that cool base that you have. The cover just lifts off, no hinges. I have all the paperwork for mine. What do you need to know?
Click to expand...

I think freeing up the sticky mechanism should help a lot. Where are the important lubrication points and what is best to use for this? thanks
 
that70sguy said:
I think freeing up the sticky mechanism should help a lot. Where are the important lubrication points and what is best to use for this? thanks
Click to expand...

IIRC there is a section on lubing in the manual. Give me a day to find it and see if it will scan clearly. The manual is half the size of a sheet of paper and has lots of pages. They also came with an aluminum strobe disc and a plastic gauge that the head shell fit in to align the cart.
 
that70sguy said:
I think freeing up the sticky mechanism should help a lot. Where are the important lubrication points and what is best to use for this? thanks
Click to expand...

Well, I dug out the manual this morning and memory has failed me... again. There are no instructions for oiling, other than that the motor and turntable bearings should be lubricated after 1000 hrs of operation with lubricants specified by your PE dealer. :thumbsdn:

FYI that base that you have is an "LZ-2020 - Deluxe Base and Dust Cover" that cost $50 in 1970! Quite a lot considering the standard base and cover were $9 a piece. :yes: It is 'oiled natural walnut' while the standard base was 'vinyl covered walnut finish'

There was also a loose sheet of paper that says...
"Notice!! You have purchased the world's finest automatic turntable. Recommend use with Shure V15 Type II or Shure M75E-P20 cartridge. Use of other cartridges may not result in optimum performance."
... in case you want to be historically authentic. Mine came with the M75, and I also ordered an M95ED pre-mounted in a second cartridge slide carrier. It came in a Shure box so apparently it was also a preferred cart.

If you want to impress your friends, the cover of the manual calls this TT "PE 2040 HiFi-Plattenspieler" :D

I'll try to scan the specs page and post it soon.
 
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My PE (2020?) was the first really nice TT I owned after suffering through a couple of BSRs. Crazy ex-wife threw it on the lawn one night...it was never the same after that.:(
 
Thanks for the info jimbofish, this is extremely helpful and invaluable. I actually have a V15 Mk II currently mounted on my AR XA. I may swap this out.

Appreciate all the help everyone.


jimbofish said:
Well, I dug out the manual this morning and memory has failed me... again. There are no instructions for oiling, other than that the motor and turntable bearings should be lubricated after 1000 hrs of operation with lubricants specified by your PE dealer. :thumbsdn:

FYI that base that you have is an "LZ-2020 - Deluxe Base and Dust Cover" that cost $50 in 1970! Quite a lot considering the standard base and cover were $9 a piece. :yes: It is 'oiled natural walnut' while the standard base was 'vinyl covered walnut finish'

There was also a loose sheet of paper that says...
"Notice!! You have purchased the world's finest automatic turntable. Recommend use with Shure V15 Type II or Shure M75E-P20 cartridge. Use of other cartridges may not result in optimum performance."
... in case you want to be historically authentic. Mine came with the M75, and I also ordered an M95ED pre-mounted in a second cartridge slide carrier. It came in a Shure box so apparently it was also a preferred cart.

If you want to impress your friends, the cover of the manual calls this TT "PE 2040 HiFi-Plattenspieler" :D

I'll try to scan the specs page and post it soon.
Click to expand...
 
I'm guessing +/- 5% or something like that -- not an enormous range, but enough to correct for most off speed records. If you want more than that, you need to go to Lencos or similar tables, or start getting into power supplies.
 
Quoted from PE 2040 OM...
"Each of these four standard speeds may be varied up to 6% by turning the fine speed pitch control knob..."

Doesn't say 6% + or -, but a brochure that I have says...
"... the pitch (speed) control knob allows platter speed to be fine tuned 3% faster or slower - permitting a 6% maximum adjustment in speed."

:smoke:
 
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