Record Cleaning Machine

I use a cheap Nitty Gritty [Model 1 manual type] . Beside the unit I have an old DD Turntable that doesn't work [cheap] that I do the srubbing on . Then I turn the LP over and place it on the Nitty Gritty to suck off the solution . For a couple hundred $'s [cheaper if you find the Nitty Gritty used for $100 or so] this is a lot cheaper than the VPI or the Fluid Injection Nitty Gritty's .

I have had 3 VPIs since they were first introduced. Initially, I bought a Nitty Gritty to compare with the first VPI with the wand in the lid. I sold the Nitty Gritty to a friend who still has it. I had had a Keith Monks string cleaner in the early 70s, but sold it as a pain to operate. In 2001 on Sept. 14th while stranded in London, I went to the Hammersmith Show and heard the Loricraft. I bought one on returning to the States. Its main benefit is a clean string on which the vacuum arm rides as it crosses the record. One never has a contaminated wand crossing the vinyl.

The Loricraft also cleans better. I had very many records previously cleaned on the VPIs and found they sounded even better when cleaned with the Loricraft. The one liability of the Loricraft especially in these days of the weak dollar is that it is expensive. Record cleaning fluids also matter.

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I agree with Tbg....Record cleaning fluids matter a great deal....you need to pick the right one.....
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Rgds,
Larry
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Owned a 16.5 for lots of years. Nice unit, worked fine but I used it rarely. I was afraid to become deaf while using.

I currently own and use the VPI 16.5. I previously owned and used the Nitty Gritty 1.0 for about 13 years. The VPI is superior in all ways. It cleans better and its automation is a plus for speed and if you want to go to a multiple step cleaning process.