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Record Cleaning Machine RCM

My present vinyl collection consists of about 100 LPs. On average, I purchase about 3-5 new LPs per year when the annual HI-FI Show comes to town. I've always purchased new with the odd purchase coming from friends for mint condition used LPs. My analog set-up is a VPI Scoutmaster.

I've read some very positive comments concerning the benefits of using a RCM and I'm serioulsy considering purchasing one.

For the money, I'm looking at the VPI HW-16.5 but I've read posts where people are complaining about how hot the unit gets due to the lack of a cooling fan while others have complainted about the noise. Should I be concerned?

My next choice up would be the VPI HW-17 but this unit costs about 2.5x more.

Suggestions / comments?
agiaccio

Showing 6 responses by narrod

narrod
1,064 posts
 
Buy the 16.5. Heat only becomes an issue if you clean a bunch of LPs at one time. I've NEVER had my overheat.

Place it on a piece of carpet and your will attenuate the noise a good bit.

Wendell
narrod
1,064 posts
 
Bill said,

"No automatic machine can never compare with good brushes, a good solution, and elbow grease."

Wow! I absolutely disagree with this statement. I find it as wrong as Roy Gandy's assertion that the stylus does all the cleaning a record requires.

I do agree that good results are possible with manual cleaning and it may be the best option for a small collection.

Wendell
narrod
1,064 posts
 
Bill said,

"I hope this helps."

It doesn't. I too have been collecting most of my life and I'm not sure there is a cleaning method I haven't tried. I always went back to a machine as the best tool to facilitate the process.

If you manually clean 6500 LPs, good for you!

BTW, I know that number was meant to impress. 6500 doesn't come close to the number of records I have purchased in the last 46 years. Who cares? It doesn't mean a thing.

Regards,

Wendell
narrod
1,064 posts
 
Doug,

I agree. Manual cleaning can be quite effective but I've never discovered a better way to quickly and completely remove the fluid, from the record, without using a vacuum.
There are various ways to vacuum but none, in my experience,
as efficient as a purpose built machine.

Of course, Bill may have some special way I've never tried.

Wendell
narrod
1,064 posts
 
No snark and sarcasm? What fun is that?

You make a good point and when Bill refers to manual cleaning he is not meaning to not use a vacuum to remove the fluid.

Wendell
narrod
1,064 posts
 
Axelwahl, the OP asked about the 16.5 and experiences. I've never heard of the Hannl. I'll have to check it out.

Wendell
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