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Advantages of upgrade from VPI 16.5 RCM

I wonder if any fellow A'goners have upgraded their RCMs from a VPI 16.5 to the higher end VPI models ie VPI 17 or the Typhoon 27 or any other brand eg Clearaudio, Hannl or Acoustictech and the perceived advantages, if any, of such upgrade in terms of superior cleaning etc etc. The mega bucks that some audiophiles lavish on their vinyl front end would presumably demand the best cleaning device available.Have been using a VPI 16.5 for over a year while I am satisfied that the RCM cleaning regimen(with AVIS one step and distilled water) coupled with steam cleaning does give decent results there are several lps, some fairly new , in which the pop and crackle is a constant feature,(despite anti static gun etc etc). A recent review of the VPI 27 in Soundstage, in which MM while preferring the VPI 27 over the VPI 17, did not find any distinct advantage on account of the superior cleaning power/ more powerful vaccuum motor of the VPI 27, set me thinking.
Would appreciate the advice/comments of A'goners who have done an upgrade or contemplated one.
Many thanks in anticipation.
sunnyboy1956
doktorgigi
28 posts
 
mark

latest issue of one of the hi-fi mags (stereophile, TAS)has review of typhoon... actually noticed a few RCM reviews recently, wonder why some many suddenly.

anyways description of differences between typhoon and 16.5 all listed there. when i have more time will try and remember and post....
emailists
923 posts
 
It would be incredible for someone with a 16.5 or 17 and ALSO a Typhoon to record some short sound samples of each and post them.

I also read that the later Typhoons were quieter than early ones, but I could be wrong.

Over the summer I was in a similar situation where I wanted to upgrade from my 16.5 I had recently invested money into it as well, with a second arm tube/holder (for AI step #2) and a new cork mat.

It cleaned well, but I wanted to be able to clean LP's after Midnight, while talking on the phone, and without resorting to ear protection.

I was just afraid that after all that cash to upgrade to a Hannyl or Typhoon, that it would only be marginally quieter. So I jumped on the Loricraft PR3 the day the price increased (I got the old price)

So I say outfit your 16.5 with another set of cleaning tubes, and use the best fluids (I'm thinking of trying Walker step 4)

Unless you can go for a Loricraft, stay with your 16.5. SInce it's so fast, you can do an extra pass or two and get it clean that way. The 16.5 is just a great cost to performance ratio.
sunnyboy1956's avatar
sunnyboy1956 OP
424 posts
 
A slight tweaking of my cleaning regimen has led to some perceptible though not dramatic improvements which I can happily live with until the Loricraft PRC 4 arrives. A periodic steam cleaning of the velvet wand and the MoFi dry brush followed by dry cleaning with a toothbrush is highly recommended. I only clean what I listen to in an evening, usually no more than 3/4 lps max. Hence, a once a week steaming works fine for me( I don't steam clean every record, only the ones that sound bad).
Cheers and Happy Listening
mgreene
107 posts
 
Emailists, its not necessary to sample the 16.5. Just put your face next to an average household vacuum cleaner and there you have it :) I've always used a pair of noise reduction headphones (-27dB)when using mine. The accessory cooling fan mentioned above is a really good idea as is the (new to me) Walker accessory wand being discussed in another thread here. I always clean the records I intend to listen to in that session while the system is warming up.

MIke
zieman
339 posts
 
Why is everybody so afraid to get info straight from the horses' mouth? Call Harry! I have popped the trunk on my Typhoon and going from memory of my 17s guts, the vacuum is different. There is actually LESS insulation in there. I always wore ear plugs with the 17. I listen to records when the Typhoon is in use. It is that much quieter. I would caution folks to let the lp spin just once when drying. This thing will suck the proverbial chrome off a trailer hitch. As with any product Harry says is an upgrade, the Typhoon is truly in another league. And no, I don't have 2 grand to just blow for minor upgrades.
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