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Clearaudio RCM good alternative to VPI?

I've owned two VPI record-cleaning machines, first a HW-17 (stolen), and now a HW-16.5. While I've always been happy with their performance cleaning records . . . I've always thought the build quality was really cheesy on both machines . . . with the 16.5 I had to reglue one of the dustcover support blocks and reassemble the switch plate (fasteners loosened and fell off during transport) immediately after taking it out of the box brand new. Also, both machines became somewhat moisture damaged (warping enclosure) very easily.

This didn't bother me too much because I'm a cheapskate about some things, and the VPI machines don't cost too much. But I have a friend who's asking for an RCM recommendation and he definately has the money and appreciation for better build quality . . . so I'm thinking about steering him toward a Clearaudio machine as something that's fundamentally the same in its operation, but with better build quality.

I would appreciate any feedback on the matter - but neither of us are patient enough for a Loricraft/Monks machine, so I think that a traditional "tube with lips" design is what he's after.
kirkus
sit
315 posts
 
I'm very happy with my SOTA unit. Affordable, simple, quick and most importantly effective.
nilthepill
842 posts
 
Yes, Clearaudio is great. Does its job extremely well. Highly recommend double matrix though. A lot faster cleaning both sides. IMO, Clearaudio also looks the best. Great build quality.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Cleaning result is identical, but the Clearaudio is not so loud.
markd51's avatar
markd51
763 posts
 
I had similar issues with my VPI 16.5 when new, a missing Lid Stop, which was I was sent a replacement by VPI, and Toggle Switch Knurled Nuts (1) continually coming loose.

Minor issues that are small-minor inconveniences, and are basically easily dealt with. I went and bought a package of Hex Nuts for the Toggle Switches from Rat Shack, solved the loosening nuts, RTV glued on the new Lid Stop, and then later performed the Cooling Fan Mod, and then new Acrylic Platter, and Neoprene Platter Mat.
These mods can be seen at osasge audio's website.

As for the Panel warpage, I think the one most important area that should be given a coat of varnish, thus waterproofing this area, would be the drilled hole underneath the Vacuum Tower Assembly. Three Phillips Screws, remove Vacuum Tower Assembly, coat this area, let dry, and then re-assemble. The Bottom panel's insides might be another good area to waterproof, just in case of the possibility of leakage of Recovery Tank (which I never had a problem with)

These are simple common sense fixes, and of course, it has to be one's personal decision with whatever machine they choose to go with for whatever reasons.

The difference in price between the two machines (you mantion), can be used for a considerable amount of high quality cleaning fluids, or other items. Mark
kirkus OP
502 posts
 
Thanks everybody for the responses, I'll check them out.

I feel the same way that Mark does - the construction deficiences of the 16.5 are simply minor annoyances to me. But they are definately annoying enough for me not to recommend this machine to a friend . . . after all, if VPI's been producing this thing for over twenty years, they should have at least figured out how to use a little Loctite on the switch hardware, if nothing else.
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