VPI HW17 vs Loricraft PRC4 Deluxe

I really do appreciate these thoughtful responses.  I did a bit of internet searching before starting this discussion. The results of that search included nothing of a very compelling nature as regards which machine to choose. With the VPI, I bought several extra suction wands.  As I clean consecutive records, I also clean the wands that are not in use, by soaking them and wiping down the velvet, so as to always keep relatively clean velvet in contact with the LP surface. Then I periodically rotate a cleaned wand into use.  I also wipe down the velvet after every side, manually. What I like about the VPI is the speed with which I can clean a side and the automated steps that would become manual steps were I to switch to the Loricraft.  But it's nothing too tedious.  I suppose I was looking for someone who could say that one machine (probably the HW17, since most seem to give a slight edge to the Lori) is decidedly inferior to the other (probably the Loricraft), and base it on some direct experiences.

Hey Lewm:  can you expand on what you see as the vacuum velvet pad "issue," and what precautions you take regarding this?  I just purchased a used HW17 and need to develop my cleaning technique.  Thanks!

The velvet "lips" on the suction tube obviously will get contaminated with particles on the LP that stick to them, rather than being sucked up with the cleaner solvent.  This dirt can, in theory, then be spread around on the surface of the LP, which is not a good thing.  (In reality, I usually see only a little surface gunk on the velvet, which is easily removed between cleanings by brushing or by scraping with a finger nail. I really think 95% of the bad stuff goes up the tube with the solvent.)  To ameliorate this issue, I bought a few extra tubes from VPI.  I keep one or two of them immersed in cleaner or deionized, distilled water, when they are out of use, so as to soak out any accumulated dirt. During a cleaning session, I swap tubes in and out every few LPs.  You may want to have an extra tube around, in any case, in case the velvet pads come unglued; this has happened to me at least once.

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?)

When you guys talk about vacuum tubes, I assume you are talking about them with the mounting pillar? That way, you can have a couple of different wands mounted and swap them out in seconds- I color code them, one for cleaning fluid, one for water rinse. Otherwise, agree with Lewm- it is good practice to keep any brushes, pad, applicators, etc. that come in contact with the record surface as clean as possible. I rinse my brushes repeatedly while cleaning.