All in all, I'd say the purchase of the VPI 16.5 was a wise one for me. Only regret was not buying one some years back. I've had mine now for about 14 months now, bought new.
As we can all probably agree on, the 16.5 cannot be a TOTL Loricraft, but I think it was Harry of VPI, who once said himself, he wanted to bring a machine to market that could be afforded by a larger number of people. I believe he succeeded in that goal.
Of course, it had to be built to a price point, and because of this, there were some corners that had to be cut, these are mostly obvious, laminated MDF, reasonably priced Motors, a relatively simple, but ingenious Suction Wand design, spartan Rocker Switches, a Wooden Platter, Cork Mat. Surprisingly, construction is solid, and well executed.
I think it would be fair, and accurate to say, that the 16.5 with the highest quality Cleaners, Rinses, Brushes, and proper, sound techniques executed by the end user will account for much, and versus the TOTL Loricraft with sub-standard cleaners, etc, and poor technique, the VPI 16.5, and it's variants within the company, and outside may proove to be the winner in a showdown.
I myself have begun relatively, cost efficient Mods to my own machine, some already can be seen at AIVS's website, as Jim P was kind enough to place there, my Fan Mod, and comments.
I'm not done yet though. Current mods in the making as I type this, will be a new machined Acrylic Platter, with Neoprene Mat. The new Platter won't necessarily improve performance, but the Acrylic will be a more stable material, and should be more precise, and stable over the long haul. The self adhesive Neoprene Mat, I'm hoping will proove to be better in regards to identifying dirt-dust on it, and keeping it clean should proove to be easier.
One other mod I am seriously considering as well, will be lining the 16.5 with an Insulating Material, one person in one of the forums has mentioned something along the lines of Dynamat, or an Insulation Sheeting like the Low Rider Boys put in thier Rides to knock down the Buzz from all those Subwoofer Systems they like.
And there's a supposed new enhancement on the block, Lloyd Walker has a retrofit Vacuum Wand for the VPI Machines, some have noted improvements, and feel its cost was very worthy. I haven't yet tried this route, but if it does as it is claimed to do, it's cost may be very well justified.
While I know what Motors are used in the 16.5, by examining my own sample, and I know what Platter Motor is used in the Typhoon, I have no idea what VPI used as a Vacuum Motor, and it would be interesting to know the make, and part number? Whether it is another Eletek-Lamb Motor, I am unsure?
I've read mixed reports on its volume level, some say quieter, and others say not much difference between the Typhoon in operation, and its less expensive brothers.
There are many who can comfortaby afford the mega dollar machines, but some of us, perhaps like myself cannot easily justify the added cost, so I reckon we just make due within our means to do the best we can with what we can afford. Mark
