best value - record cleaning machine

Clearly there is no one option best for everyone. Otherwise there would be a consensus on technique, equipment and fluids.

I was a long time Nitty Gritty user. Prompted by a major upgrade to my vinyl system, I decided to see if other record cleaners would do the trick better. I compared the VPI, Loricraft and ClearAudio Matrix cleaners. I was hoping that the Nitty Gritty would be as good as the others because...well because I'm cheap. Unfortunately for my wallet, to my subjective ears, the Loricraft was clearly the best. I'm intrigued by steam cleaning but have been too lazy to try. I'm already usingthe 3 step AVIS system and don't want to spend more time cleaning each record!

My only regret is that I didn't buck up and purchase the Loricraft sooner. IMO, a good record cleaning system is as important as any component in the vinyl chain.

My point regarding value on the previous post was simply that if you have a lot of money invested in your records, many of which are extremely expensive to replace (if they can be replaced at all), then spending the money for a good RCM is definitely worth it. I have ~2500 records, including numerous out of print Mosaic box sets and 45 rpm reissues and mono jazz LPs that bring the cost per record to a reasonable level (~$1/record). If you have a small collection, the cost per record rises, possibly to a point of not justifying the cost of the RCM.

Jazdoc, This last post of yours probably makes the most sense of all, and I agree with you 100%.

We all seem to take some different routes, and some are quite truly "unique", or really "odd" routes I note of other "vinylphiles". Just like our audio gear, I can wholly understand the "relativity" of everything audio, and how each, and every one of us have different systems, different aspirations, and goals.

There's those, who are big vintage fans, with a Garage Sale Table for $15. Then there's those, who went all the way to the "Walker" route.

I can of course understand as well, those wishing to experiment with those Partridge Family, and Milli Vanilli Records. In most eyes. they're no loss.

Yet, I don't understand the "few" who shorchange themselves, after buying a $1400 VPI 17F, then resort to Dawn Liquids, and Kodak Photo Flo as a cleaner, and see the truly good commerical, award winning brands as snake oil? Mark

Thank you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After considering all, even the fancy boys had issues.
I like to have full control cleaing my records.
That means manual has to be on the list, auto's were fine but the manual ones just made it work till some of my records looked new so...

Looks was a plus so I went with a fancy option for finish.
Went with the NITTY GRITTY 1.5 with the COCOBOLO finish, looks great and works like a charm. Made my own cleaning solutions and is just too good...at the end, I have not turned my CD player one for over 2 months now so....

thanks

I know this is an old thread. But I feel there is a new worthy mention to add to this discussion. 

Project VS-C is now on the market! Cheaper than VPI 16.5, and to my thinking it's a better machine! I owned a 16.5 and liked it, but it got a bad leak. So I recently bought the VS-C and could not be happier! A very well made machine that solves many of the issues with the other brands. Solid, heavy and quality feel to it. And I can clean records faster with it! 

I wrote a review of it in the review section if anyone cares to read it.

I purchased a Project VC-S about a month ago. Compared it to the VPI 16.5 and a Music Hall forget model. The Project is a very well built RCM and cleans excellent. Its about 2 times faster than the VPI as it makes  1 rotation in 2 seconds and the vacuum is just as strong if not stronger than VPI. great RCM built to last. Best $500 I spent in a long time.