VPI record cleaning system

Difference is mostly in the basic design - vacuum arm is mounted on the cover on the 16 & on the 16.5 arm is on the platform. 16.5 has a reservoir - 16 doesn't. Why they changed it, I'll never know. Probably for marketing reasons-to get the 16 users to upgrade to the latest. Both are indestructable & clean equally as well. Biggest factor is the user's thoroughness using it. Grab it fast- only way to enjoy your LPs is when they're properly cleaned.....

I agree with Lolo. You can get an upgrade kit if you want..... but more important is to replace the "velvet" pads on the tube. Disc Doctor and VPI have them, through the usual analog outlets (mail order) or direct.

Thanks guys. I went ahead and bought the machine about an hour ago. I must have a 16 that was upgraded to a 16.5. It says Hw16 on the back plate, but has the vacuum tube mounted on the platform and removing the bottom plate reveals a reservoir! The original box say Hw16 with a ".5" written in beside it marker.... Now to get at about 1000 old vinyls! :-(

How often do you clean your records? I'm considering buying a VPI 16.5, but I hear they are loud and run hot, on top of doing a great job. My question is this: do you have to clean a record before each playing? Or once it's scrubbed good and clean, can you just dry clean it for the next several plays?

Thanks,
John

I don't think it is necessary to clean a record before every play (some folks think that this may actually degrade the sound... I don't know about that but I do know that practially every record cleaning fluid does leave a sonic fingerprint). I clean a record immediately after purchasing it (I was able to completely salvage a $1 junky looking copy of an original 6 eye "Kind og Blue" to an acceptable playing condition after cleaning). After cleaning, record goes into a rice paper sleeve and then gets cleaned with a Decca carbon fiber brush for the next couple of turns. I use the Turomat cleaning fluid but have used a homebrew concoction in the past (in my spare time, I am a Chemistry professor).