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Low Noise Air Pump for ET-2 Air Bearing Tonearm.

72.220.37.3
Posted on August 6, 2023 at 09:38:24
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4423
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 Hi All, due to an accident with my very durable Medo AC0110 air pump, I am now looking for a new more quiet air pump for my ET-2 tonearm.

I have found a direct replacement but I want a more quiet pump around 15psi for my ET-2. I will be using an exiting Air Pressure regulator and just a low noise pump now.

any info on where I may find one will be greatly appreciated.

 

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RE: Low Noise Air Pump for ET-2 Air Bearing Tonearm., posted on August 7, 2023 at 16:07:48
6bq5
Audiophile

Posts: 4213
Location: SF Bay
Joined: August 16, 2001
 I remember when this topic was all the rage in the magazines - before the internet took off-

many came to the conclusion that the best solution was to put the pump in another room, or within a damped enclosure-

having said this - look for a scroll pump, or a screw pump
both will be quieter than a piton pump-
also - there are some oil-free pumps - which I would also encourage, that, by definition don't use pistons to generate the air pressure...

Happy Listening

 

RE: Low Noise Air Pump for ET-2 Air Bearing Tonearm., posted on August 7, 2023 at 16:57:06
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3242
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 Yep, I remember myself and three of my audio buddies all having ET arms matched to various turntables. ( VPI, Micro Seiki, etc.) We all kept the stock air pump and just figured ways to damp it. This being a sound proof box, stashing it in another room or in my case, stashed on the top shelf of my built-in "audio closet". In this case it was sitting on a sorbothane pad surrounded by soundproofing material.

 

I will be on the lookout for these..., posted on August 11, 2023 at 06:52:53
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4423
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 Types of Pumps. So far the ones I have ran into are large, but I will keep looking. Thanks

 

RE: Low Noise Air Pump for ET-2 Air Bearing Tonearm., posted on August 14, 2023 at 07:22:14
mg16
Audiophile

Posts: 1013
Joined: October 18, 2001
Contributor
  Since: March 11, 2021
 I tried many different pumps with my ET-2.
Medical rated, and aquarium type.
At one point, I bought a portable air compressor with a 5 gallon tank.
Turned it on until the tank was full, and then shut it off.
I was running at about 12 psi, and got about 20 minutes of play time till I had to refill the tank.
Obviously needed a much bigger reserve tank.
I thought about buying a bigger compressor, but gave up and sold the ET2 for a pivoted arm.
The compressor worked great, dead quiet after shut off, with a full tank.
Hard to enjoy the music, when your worried about keeping the tank full to avoid wrecking your cartridge and LP'S if the arm runs out of air. A large scuba tank would have been nice for several hours of music I bet.
mg16

 

Was that an ET-2.5 arm?, posted on August 14, 2023 at 08:47:08
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4423
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 That seems on the high side for an ET-2 arm. I have a good size Surge tank and the Medo pump works great, way better than the WISA pump.

 

RE: Was that an ET-2.5 arm?, posted on August 14, 2023 at 12:52:43
mg16
Audiophile

Posts: 1013
Joined: October 18, 2001
Contributor
  Since: March 11, 2021
 No sir,
That was an ET-2. I had run it at 15 psi and it never hurt a thing, but I was afraid it might with prolonged use. I had it for a couple years at 12 psi, with no problems. It always sounded great until I sold it. I found the SQ definitely improved at the higher pressure.
mg16

 

I always heard the higher the Pressure, posted on August 15, 2023 at 08:36:07
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4423
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 The better it would sound but I tried @ 7psi for a day and heard really no difference from 5psi to 7psi so I just left it at 5psi.

 

RE: Low Noise Air Pump for ET-2 Air Bearing Tonearm., posted on August 15, 2023 at 14:17:16
Flemke
Audiophile

Posts: 87
Location: Chicago
Joined: December 20, 2005
 I use a Jun-air 6-25 with a surge tank. It's in the room next to me in the basement. Work perfectly.

 

Is that a Compressor?, posted on August 16, 2023 at 01:33:15
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4423
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 I don't need a compressor. The one I saw a were air compressor, just looking for a nice quiet air pump.

 

ET-2 Pump Update., posted on August 21, 2023 at 17:26:34
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4423
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 I just wanted to say Thank You to everyone that replied and for the info shared.

I just went back to the Medo pumps due to availability and cost. I was able to get 2 for less that $60 so I'm set now. I now have ave the ET-2 set @ 5psi but the arm can be used between 5-7 psi with no issues.

Back to listening to Vinyl! :)

 

one of the cures for pump noise, posted on September 4, 2023 at 18:00:50
hifitommy
Audiophile

Posts: 15354
Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny
Joined: June 9, 2000
 is to use a VERY long tube and locate the pump in a different room. i was going to do that with my Maplenoll Athena, a quite VIVID sounding unit, but never got to it. i acquired my SOTA Sapphire/MMT and opted to sell off the Maplenoll and enjoy the SOTA.

a further benefit with a long tube is that any pulsing of the pump is greatly reduced. it may obviate the need for the sometimes used plenum tank seen in some reviews.

personally, I never experienced any effects of pulsing, even with a relatively short tube.
...regards...tr

 

RE: Low Noise Air Pump for ET-2 Air Bearing Tonearm., posted on September 11, 2023 at 23:32:56
ltman
Audiophile

Posts: 122
Joined: June 23, 2023
 buy a compressor and a scuba tank or two?

fill the tank in the garage. drive the TT with the compressed air from the tank only, no compressor or pump will ever be near the TT.

an aluminum 90 with a 1st stage regulator will only cost about $150.

90 cubic feet at 3300 psi should last for more than a few plays before you need to refill the tank.

or even better, don't buy a compressor, just take the tank every few months to a scuba shop and pay $1 to have them fill it for you.

 

Sounds like..., posted on September 12, 2023 at 17:42:36
Cougar
Audiophile

Posts: 4423
Location: SoCal
Joined: June 25, 2001
 I'm going diving! LOL!

I'm all set already, Thank You.

The Teres with the ET-2 and SPL Audio Phonos is back up and running. It sound wonderful.

 

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