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Record Cleaning Machine – Recommendation Please!

I bought a VPI HW16.5 seven years ago and when I turn on the vacuum switch nothing happens.

My options:

Buy a new vacuum motor (if that’s what’s really wrong…could it be the switch?) for about $200

Buy another new VPI HW16.5 for about $700 (I’ve liked mine)

Buy a Music Hall WCS2 for about $600 (is this any good?)

Buy something else (Nitty Gritty??)

 

Any suggestion of something you’ve dealt with that’s gone well will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!


rbschauman
wlutke
724 posts
 
If it's like the vacuum cleaner motors of old, the brushes on the motor may have worn out.  That or the switch are cheap fixes.  
jperry
2,445 posts
 
Fix your VPI 16.5, and then buy a DIY ultrasonic record cleaning machine. The VPI is great for really dirty records, and the US machine will take it to a new level.

All that for less than the cost of replacing your VPI 16.5
whart's avatar
whart
3,026 posts
 
+1 @jperry . Plus I seem to recall postings identifying the motor as costing less than 1/2 of what VPI charges from the original equipment manufacturer if you do a search. There is synergy in combining the two cleaning methods.
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,155 posts
 
+2 @jperry , @whart,

No-brainer.
rbschauman OP
137 posts
 
Thank you all for your responses. Quickly convinced me not to give up on what I have. 

My brother (who's electrically competent) was over and diagnosed the problem and found it to be a faulty switch! I'll take it! 

Now just need to search the internet and find a replacement...

Thanks again for responding,
Randy
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