Record Cleaning Machine RCM

My advice is to buy the VPI HW-16.5 machine. The machine is very effective and reliable, and it's definitely the best bang for the buck.

Yes, it's loud, but that shouldn't pose a problem unless you have a baby sleeping down the hall or some similar circumstance. (In those instances, you're probably similarly restricted with respect to the volume level of your audio system, so you might as well go play golf. :>)

In my experience, it takes a lot of continuous vinyl cleaning to cause any sort of heat issues with the machine. Your modest collection should not pose any problems in that regard unless you decide to clean the entire collection at once (and without any soaking time in between records). Seriously, if you use a cleaning solution that works best with a 5-minute soak, you can clean vinyl all day long with my VPI 16.5 RCM and never noticeably heat up the machine.

Buy the 16.5. Heat only becomes an issue if you clean a bunch of LPs at one time. I've NEVER had my overheat.

Place it on a piece of carpet and your will attenuate the noise a good bit.

Wendell

Check the age of the posts you have read. I can't remember clearly but I believe earlier versions of the VPI 16.5 had overheating issues, but were resolved (or at least reduced) a long time ago by VPI.

I've had the 16.5 for about 7 years and have not had an overheating problem even once.

I have had my 16.5 for about 5 years, cleaned about 1100 LPS in that time, each LP with two to three solutions which is 2-3 times the work of a single solution cleaning. I usually clean three LPS, both sides, and take a break. I have only repeated cleaning on one album in that time. I am very happy with the 16.5.

I just bought a 16.5 and find it very easy to use and a definite plus. Cleaning is so easy now and the quality of sound is much better!!! Do yourself a BIG favor and get one you'll wonder why you waited this long.