By all means. Very well built, excellent job of cleaning records. Very reliable and little maintenace required.
Dave
Dave
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Owning two VPI 16.5's and a NG 1.5FI, i would probably recommend that someone interested in buying a machine of this nature check into the SOTA LP Cleaner. In this regards, Nate aka Nrchy was right on the money in his previous posts. One should bare in mind that the SOTA RCM has undergone some design revisions over the years, so older models may not be the same as a current production model. The list price of this unit is between that of the 16.5 and VPI 17, making it a bit more expensive than the 16.5 but not as expensive as the larger and far more costly 17. I really don't think that any of these machines are built / designed anywhere near as well as they could be, but the SOTA seems to be the nicest of the bunch within that price range. Since i've been cleaning a lot of vinyl lately, i've really thought about selling what i have and building my own. Then again, i've already got 2.5 million projects on the burner and not enough time in the day, so i'll have to stick with what i've got for right now. Having said that, 16.5 isn't a bad machine at all. It just isn't worth anywhere near the asking price. Especially if you take one apart and see how they are made / what goes into making one. In the long run, a vacuum based RCM is a very worthwhile investment, especially if you have a lot of vinyl that you value and you want to obtain the best sonics and longevity from your recordings and stylus. There are HUGE differences in cleaning solutions too, so keep that in mind. Sean > |
I just got mine yesterday, and cleaned three LP's from the 70's this evening. VPI recommends useing a dirty, dispensable record, when using for the first time. I found that dirty old scrached up LP, which used to belong to a Drummer friend of mine. I listened to it first, then washed and vacumed it, useing Record Research Lab Super Deep Cleaner and then with RRL Super Vinyl Wash. I was impressed with the results, as most of the snap, crackel, pop noise from the debris traped in the grooves were reduced to less then half, but obviously it won't take the scratches away, as a matter of fact, I think it enhanced the noise from the scratches, by cleaning and sucking out the debris that had been traped in there after all these years, creating a larger, cleaner, deeper gap for the stylus to run over. As for one of my records from the late 60's, that has no scratches or finger prints, and never been cleaned - I was very impressed with the results. So yes, for me, since I love my vinyl it was worth purchasing the 16.5 |
Rfigster The VPI 16-5 is well worth the money. It is built like a tank and the only upkeep is a brush replacement now and then. However, the most important aspect is that LP's before cleaning and the same LP's after being cleaned are just not the same records. The sound is soooo much more revealing in everyway. And it deminishes the surface noise considerably. No LP gets to my VPI 'Scout' without being cleaned by the VPI 16.5 first. Indispensiable. Regards, AEW |
I have owned a VPI 16.5 for probably 10 years now. I've replaced the vacuum tube several times. I remember debating when I bought it--do I really need something to clean my records like this? Well, I wouldn't be without it now. I don't see many used on the market--and that should tell you something, because as you can tell, a lot of people own them. |
A record cleaning machine is definitely a worthwhile purchase. However, I find it hard to recommend the VPI 16.5. I recently purchased one new and it arrived with internal wires disconnected, and then the vacuum motor failed after cleaning a few records. Still trying to get it fixed. Customer service and QC does not seem to be a high priority for VPI these days. On the other hand, I have had a manual Nitty Gritty vacuum record that has worked flawlessly for 2 years (but manual is a pain). Have to look into the SOTA... |
I sold my NG 1.5 in order to get the VPI and am very pleased in my decision to do so. Much easier to work with and it does a fine job on all vinyl I have cleaned. I agree with Raytheprinter on the brush though. I prefer the Disc Doctor brush but I use the VPI the the DD as I always do a dual cleaning. |
The Sota looks good, but I have a 16.5. Galen Carol has the best price I've found by far, and he is great to deal with. Whatever way you go, a good RCM is a must. Without opening the cleaning fluids debate again, I only use Audio Intelligent Vinyl Solutions. DD brushes are good too, as are the Last brushes. Don't forget a good carbon fiber brush to dust before you play. The VPI brush works great for the first cleaning cycle. |
Because the string is replaced each time you use it and because the arm tracks the gooves, I would strongly recommend the LoriCraft record cleaner imported by Smart. I have owned several VPI and NG cleaners. In each instance where I further clean a record previously cleaned on the VPI, I hear a substantially quieter and more transparent sound after cleaning with the LoriCraft. |
I feel it is a no-brainer that an analog enthusiast should have at the least the highly touted VPI HW16.5 if you are building a record collection. Once you being buying a lot more LPs you may want to have more convenience by getting the HW17F. But if you are here to stay the Clearaudio Matrix is a lifetime investment. You should see the innards and build quality! At the expense of a much higher cost |
Personally, i don't think that the innards are all that important. That is, so long as the unit gets the records as clean as possible, lasts a very long time AND is convenient to use. I think that most mass produced machines fail on the first and third parts of that equation. That's why i'd like to build my own machine as there are some very simple add-on's that could take them a few steps nearer perfection. Sean > |
. A record-cleaning machine is a must. The Loricraft is the best of the lot. The VPI 16.5 is a good machine and the Loricraft (a good bit more expensive) is head and shoulders above the 16.5. It is much quieter (sounds like a micro wave oven running) and the constantly replaced string on the vacuum arm is an ingenious solution to not re-infecting the next record with the previous record's dirt. Solidly built and no parts to replace. . It is well worth the extra money and is a lifetime investment. . Rgds, Larry . . Rgds, Larry . |
Short answer: yea. I don't believe there is any debate left to quibble about weather or not to own a record vacuum cleaner either from the point of view for playing a quiet record or preserving that record for future playing imo. What is your record collection worth?! The only question is which one to buy. For me Harry Weisfeld's HW-16.5 is a bargain and supports an ample cleaning regiment. I find even the brand new Classic records seem to be smeared with enough mold release residue to constitute an immediate cleaning before ever playing. I can hear the difference and to my ears it is equivalent to a sizable phono amp upgrade. |
