Spin Clean as good as RCM, ie-VPI etc?

The spin clean is certainly convenient. The Gem Dandy sounds good but carrying my records to the kitchen and invading the wife's territory with records sounds like a lot of hassle. If it does the job then it would be worth it but I wouldnt be cleaning that often.

For not too much more than SpinClean, you can get the KAB EV-1 record cleaner. You add your own canister vacuum, and you have a low-budget vacuum cleaning system that cleans as well as any entry level VPI or Nitty Gritty. It is fully manual - you apply the fluid, spread it, scrub the LP, and turn the LP while the vacuum does its thing. I've had mine for several years, and it is fantastic, even with garage-sale records, which I buy often. One of the biggest bargains in analog audio, IMHO.

I'll throw the Gem Dandy into the mix. I feel I've gotten better results from my Gem Dandy than I ever got from my Nitty Gritty, and the sound of running water is much more pleasant than a vacuum motor. I might try the Spin Clean, though I do wonder about it leaving dirt on the record.

To my knowledgde, there is no sustitute for a vacuum incorporated into the cleaning process whether it be a RCM or a DIY set-up.

I have a VPI and bought (2) spin cleans. I use them together. I put the Spin Clean fluid in the first one, dry the record, put it in the second Spin Clean with Walker Audio active enzyme cleaner, dry it off, then rinse and vacuum each side of the record on the VPI with ultra pure water (gotten from a scientist friend!!). Works great.

Really old records I steam on the VPI first before I put then in the first Spin Clean.

Yes they are and do.