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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.

lewm
ekimg
78 posts
 
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?)
whart's avatar
whart
3,057 posts
 
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. 
rshak
419 posts
 
lewm - - I've owned a Loricraft PRC4 for about 10 years, during which time I've cleaned many 100's of records and gone thru a lot of cleaning fluid and a couple of spools of thread.  The thing runs quietly and has never failed me.  I stopped using the brush supplied by Loricraft years ago and switched to softer brushes offered by Osage Audio.

Fluids of choice are (1) Nitty Gritty Pure 2 for new records and older LPs in visually excellent shape and (2) "Smart" fluid for "dirty" records.

The Loricraft replaced an aging Nitty Gritty 2-point-something.  The NG did a good job, but the Loricraft is far superior. 

The VPI 17 has received good press, but I have no personal experience with it.


fjn04
1,561 posts
 

I use a 16.5, with 1 extra VAC tube, in conjunction with AIVS. If I'm in lazy mode, the AIVS #6 one step, plain and simple. I also like the #15, as Whart mentioned. I designate one Disc Doctor brush just for the #15, as it needs a rinse. When using the #15, I also have a designated VAC wand for it. Then I have another DD brush for a distilled H20 rinse, and then my backup wand does the VAC duties.


lewm OP
13,230 posts
 
Dear fjn04, Sorry for my acronymic deficiency; what is AIVS?
One thing I noticed while washing with the PRC4 in the company of its owner, there seems to be more steps, at least in his preferred method.  I use a home made mixture of distilled deionized water, isopropanol (lab grade, not rubbing alcohol) and a pinch of detergent (lab grade Tween20).  I load that into my HW17 dispenser.  The LP gets a squirt of that, then rotation in both directions for about 30 sec each, then suction.  Then I squirt the same side with just water, spread it around, and suck that up.  Done.  Sometimes I do two water rinses.
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