Loricraft vs. VPI 16.5 record cleaner

I have just spent some time with a unit similar (Keith Monks Mk2) and could find no real advantage from one to the other. the Monks/Loricraft machines have a maintainance curve that is much higher than the VPI...and frankly, I don't think it extracted anymore than the VPI does. THE ONLY ADVANTAGE that I think it has is the fact that the platter spins at 78rpm and the brush gets to scrub with some velocity. This could be met with adversity due to the hairlines that it can leave in the playout. If the deeper cleaning refers to what Michael Fremer had to say in Stereophile when he was testing the Finial laser table, I don't agree with a stylus oriented playback. Don't get me wrong, it is a very cool machine and I almost kept the one I just sold for someone...but as far as outperforming...no way. Just a different way to do the same job. Best of luck... j

I was unfamiliar with this record cleaner, but found this very good web site with pictures and explanations. While the cost is high ($1895 US), it seems to have good design advantages.
Loricraft

If you can sort of justify it, it's a no brainer, in my biased opinion. The improvement going from a 16.5 to the Loricraft was a nice surprise. Records thought to be worn were restored to like new.

Brian