Audio Desk cleaner.....still available?

in my 30+ years owning the VPI 16.5 it has been dead nuts reliable, works well by direct comparison to a good US machine, is still in production, and is well supported by VPI. Unless one is burning to have a US RCM or wants the added convenience of the $5000 Clearaudio vacuum machine, I don’t get why you’d look for a used foreign made RCM with questionable if any factory support.

US=UltraSonic. Sorry.

I've had a Mk 1 DeGritter for several years now and have cleaned many hundreds of records in it and it works perfectly today, just like it did when I first bought it. These are built VERY well. Mk II DeGritters seem to be available at many retailers (Music Direct being one of many) so I don't know about making them to order and I don't know why you'd want to consider ordering one and waiting a month. 

The Audio Desk info has me thinking about the Degritter, which has pretty limited distribution despite a nice website.  It's about $1K less than the Audio Desk, but the main issue for me, assuming it functions well, would be reliability. I have to admit that I was simply shocked to find the AD has a glued-together cabinet. For a device with obviously vulnerable innards (pumps, for heaven's sake) this is incredible. I'd like input form someone with Degritter experience. Sites carrying it seem to be small, exclusive dealers and the Degritter website says  it takes a month after order to get one.  In other words, they make them as they go.  Anybody have one of these? That KlAudio one is really expensive.  

gpgr4blu, I am curious as to how many years did you have the 1st unit when the pump failed? If you don’t mind me asking, of course. I’ve had one for a few years but I don’t have a large collection and recently have spent way more time streaming than spinning. I just wonder if I have a similar adventure to look forward too.  Thank you.

I had the Audio Desk twice. The first time, the pump failed and the company would not take it back but merely give me a light discount on a new one. I fell for it and bought the new one (an upgraded model with a better pump). When that pump failed this year, I did not even bother calling. I threw it in the garbage and purchased a KlAudio which works much better anyway. I assume the Degritter will too.

Look around Audiogon and you will see that others have had the same issue. Someone here has a method to open the system and replace the pump. Not for me. I blindly trusted the German engineering aspect. A lesson learned.

Yes they are, I am sure other dealers carry them but The Cable Company is the importer and retailer. Contact John at 800.328.9733 for assistance. I replaced my 16.5 with one a few years back and have been extremely satisfied with the results. Re-clean the records that you have cleaned with your VPI and you’ll be surprised at the results.