Thanks Lewm. The unit I purchased came with 3 vacuum tubes, labeled 1-3. The previous owner apparently used a three step cleaning process, switching out the tubes for each cleaning step. Not sure I will have that level of patience....maybe 2? Anyway, thanks for your input, it makes sense to keep the tubes as clean as possible. I am going to fire up the HW17F this weekend for the first time and look forward to hearing some clean vinyl! (I used a Spin Clean prior to this, and believe or not, it seemed to make my records worse...more static, etc?)
VPI HW17 vs Loricraft PRC4 Deluxe
So, I have been rolling along for years quite happily with my VPI HW17. I am aware of its "issues" (noise and the danger that the velvet pad on the vacuum bar will trap and smear dirt). But I clean LPs in my basement, far from either of my audio systems and where noise is not an issue, and I take precautions to avoid the velvet pad problem. Recently, however, I have been offered the opportunity to pick up the Loricraft at a very nice price, I must admit I am tempted, even though I was not shopping for a new RCM, at all. This is an appeal to anyone out there who has some experience with both machines or who has a reasoned opinion; should I go for the Loricraft? I would then have to sell my HW17, and I don't look forward to the issues associated with doing that. I tried out the Loricraft last night; it's got it's own set of quirks for sure.