Nitty Gritty 1.5Fi vs. VPI HW16.5vs. Okki Nokki


I've been back into analog for about 2 years. As I've resurrected a lot of old vinyl and purchased a lot of used vinyl (Half Price Books, lot sales on Audiogon and other sites, etc.), a record cleaning system better than my present Spin-Clean has become a necessity.

Spin-Clean does a decent job but, with some but by no means all of my records, there is a lot of surface noise that is left behind. I presume that this is due to residue that results from the surface tension of the droplets of fluid left behind after the record is dried (either by air or by using the supplied cloths), or, less likely, the attraction of microscopic particles to the [still slightly wet] record surface as it dries, and which cannot be removed by pre-play record cleaners (i.e., Audioquest brush, Discwasher, etc.).

Why surface noise is audible on some records more than others could be due to many things--the cut and modulations of the groove, mold release chemicals, etc., etc. Also, it can vary from one side to the other and from one track to the next in the same record.

I'll mention that I only use the Spin-Clean fluid, and mix it with distilled water in the proportion recommended by Spin-Clean.

All of which I mention because it speaks to the necessity for some form of vacuum cleaning.

I'd like to open up to the forum re any preferences in the above named field of machines (or any others which any forum contributor deigns to recommend).

Also, could there also be a cheap'n'cheerful alternative to any of the above, such as the KAB record cleaner and a canister vacuum, used in conjunction with the Spin-Clean? I know I'd have to spin the record manually and deal with an external vacuum source, but at a third of the price, it merits serious consideration.

In any event, I welcome the forum's esteemed opinions.

Thanks, John
128x128distant_replay
I have owned a NG 2.5Fi and MiniPro. Both are exceptional cleaning machines. VPI 16.5 just seemed a bit 'cheap' quality to me.
I switched from a Nitty Gritty to a VPI. Don't know much about the Okki, but VPI parts and support is always available.
I'd give a hard look at the Okki Nokki. I purchased a VPI but may have purchased the Okki Nokki if they had distributorship when I made my purchase. The Okki Nokki is similar to the Clearaudio Smart Matrix, which was my preferred choice but not enough to spend the extra $$$ to buy it. I knew about the Okki Nokki but was unable to find one for purchase.

Sumiko ended up getting a distributor deal for the Okki Nokki after I made my purchase of the VPI. Nothing against the VPI but, like the poster above, the Okki Nokki seems like a good value.

I haven't used the VPI much so at times I've thought of selling it and replacing with the Okki Nokki. But I'm not that motivated about it.

I have no experience with the Nitty Gritty but based upon my research, it didn't seem like a fit for me.

Let us know what you decide. Good luck.
If I may make a small but overlooked point regarding the Okki-Nokki.It has a forward and reverse rotation of the platter allowing for a more thorough cleaning as well as metal pick up tube (plus all metal construction) Otherwise I believe the 16.5 and Okki are a dead heat...at least in outward appearance.Lastly with a price of $549, being slightly cheaper than the 16.5, I'd say it's a no brainer to consider the Okki

just my two pennies
braab
Okki Nokki has gone up to $599, $649 w/cover. Not as great a deal anymore.

It's a lot quieter than the VPI, you can actually listen to music or carry on a conversation over the phone while the vacuum is running.