Is it worth purchasing the VPI 16.5?

I feel it is a no-brainer that an analog enthusiast should have at the least the highly touted VPI HW16.5 if you are building a record collection. Once you being buying a lot more LPs you may want to have more convenience by getting the HW17F. But if you are here to stay the Clearaudio Matrix is a lifetime investment. You should see the innards and build quality! At the expense of a much higher cost

Personally, i don't think that the innards are all that important. That is, so long as the unit gets the records as clean as possible, lasts a very long time AND is convenient to use. I think that most mass produced machines fail on the first and third parts of that equation. That's why i'd like to build my own machine as there are some very simple add-on's that could take them a few steps nearer perfection. Sean
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A record-cleaning machine is a must. The Loricraft is the best of the lot. The VPI 16.5 is a good machine and the Loricraft (a good bit more expensive) is head and shoulders above the 16.5. It is much quieter (sounds like a micro wave oven running) and the constantly replaced string on the vacuum arm is an ingenious solution to not re-infecting the next record with the previous record's dirt. Solidly built and no parts to replace.
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It is well worth the extra money and is a lifetime investment.
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Rgds,
Larry
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Rgds,
Larry
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Regarding the cost issue. I have found a gently used, in excellent condition, VPI 16.5 with a gallon of cleaning liquid for $275.00. It appears this is a deal I should not pass on. Rick

Buy it! Quick!