Record Cleaning Machine RCM


My present vinyl collection consists of about 100 LPs. On average, I purchase about 3-5 new LPs per year when the annual HI-FI Show comes to town. I've always purchased new with the odd purchase coming from friends for mint condition used LPs. My analog set-up is a VPI Scoutmaster.

I've read some very positive comments concerning the benefits of using a RCM and I'm serioulsy considering purchasing one.

For the money, I'm looking at the VPI HW-16.5 but I've read posts where people are complaining about how hot the unit gets due to the lack of a cooling fan while others have complainted about the noise. Should I be concerned?

My next choice up would be the VPI HW-17 but this unit costs about 2.5x more.

Suggestions / comments?
agiaccio
Doug,

I agree. Manual cleaning can be quite effective but I've never discovered a better way to quickly and completely remove the fluid, from the record, without using a vacuum.
There are various ways to vacuum but none, in my experience,
as efficient as a purpose built machine.

Of course, Bill may have some special way I've never tried.

Wendell
VPI 16.5 = manual cleaning
VPI 17 = automatic cleaning
Both remove fluids via a vacuum wand.
handwashing = disappointment

Before we resort to snark and sarcasm, we should all be on the same page with terminology.

Eric
No snark and sarcasm? What fun is that?

You make a good point and when Bill refers to manual cleaning he is not meaning to not use a vacuum to remove the fluid.

Wendell
VPI 16.5 = manual cleaning
VPI 17 = automatic cleaning
Both remove fluids via a vacuum wand.
handwashing = disappointment

Before we resort to snark and sarcasm, we should all be on the same page with terminology.

Eric
I think Bill calls "manual" as an rcm that one must rotate the record yourself, versus "automatic" which the rcm rotates and vacuums. Correct me if I'm wrong.