Ditto the above. The major advantage of the VPI 16.5 is (relatively) low cost. The major disadvantage is the noise that it makes, which is pretty much like that of your vacuum cleaner. If you want the RCM to be in your listening room, you might want to spend extra bucks for the higher priced units that evidently are quieter. I keep my 16.5 in my basement workshop with no problems. I use a homebrew cleaning solution based on VPI recommendations (isopropyl alcohol/distilled, deionized water/non-ionic detergent). This works great, but I recently discovered in a controlled experiment that Walker Prelude works even better.
As far as the comment that hand-washing is as good as or superior to machine washing, I find that hard to believe. The vacuum-ing step is when most of the solubilized dirt, etc, are actually removed most effectively. You can't duplicate that action with any amount of rinsing by hand, IMO.
As far as the comment that hand-washing is as good as or superior to machine washing, I find that hard to believe. The vacuum-ing step is when most of the solubilized dirt, etc, are actually removed most effectively. You can't duplicate that action with any amount of rinsing by hand, IMO.