Best Vinyl Cleaning machine around $1000

[sashua]

I am in the market and see all the hype about the VPI 16.5

I am sure that it is a good machine but my question is; as long as I am spending this kind of dosh to keep my records clean, would a few hundred more make the task easier, better, faster, etc.???

-Russ

[jbk]

There are a lot of opinions about which is the best record cleaning machine.

VPI 16.5 is used by many vinyl nuts and highly recommended.

Alternatives that work well are:

Sota Record Cleaning Machine

Nitty Gritty
These machines don't have a platter like the VPI and Sota.
Some clean both sides automatically.

The Needle Doctor sell Nitty Gritty as do other websites.
Sota RCM can be purchase direct from Sota.

These are the alternatives I've run across in my vinyl dementia.

John

[The Kipnis Studios]

Originally Posted by sashua

I am in the market and see all the hype about the VPI 16.5

I am sure that it is a good machine but my question is; as long as I am spending this kind of dosh to keep my records clean, would a few hundred more make the task easier, better, faster, etc.???

-Russ

I have used my VPI 16.5 for 5 years now, and it is bullet proof, so long as you don't mind doing the work. There are other good choices, but only if you spend 2-4 times as much money for the extra automation.

[sashua]

Thanks for the replies but I already know and appreciate the VPI machine. What I was asking about was what alternatives existed (if any) that would give me that extra level of automation for reasonable money.

Perhaps this does not exist...and I certainly won't spend megabucks on a record cleaning machine - but I had hoped that there was a "step up" within reason.

Thanks,
Russ

[Theodore]

I have some friends, working for a HiFi magazine here in Greece, who had tested the ELP player and told me that it was good, BUT there was a lot of noise.
Is there any cleaning machine, capable of "quieting" this player,or is it wasting of time (and money?)

[kennyt]

Originally Posted by Theodore

I have some friends, working for a HiFi magazine here in Greece, who had tested the ELP player and told me that it was good, BUT there was a lot of noise.
Is there any cleaning machine, capable of "quieting" this player,or is it wasting of time (and money?)

Well, this is a tough problem.....

A record cleaning machine is a sort of vacuum machine to suck the fluid off the album. Is your vacuum silent? No. Neither are most RCM's, until you really shell out huge $$$.

I am still in the 'playing' phase of my new TT, but am loving it so much I will very likely add a high end rig to my main system soon, and that will require additions to the AV rack, and AudiAV Crystal (www.audiav.com) and likely the cleaning machine and possibly a separate two channel pre........

I think I will be buying the VPI 16.5. Many people seem to agree it is the best bang for the buck, and many like it more than the 17 as it allows you to manually clean the surface.