Is it worth purchasing the VPI 16.5?

Short answer: yea. I don't believe there is any debate left to quibble about weather or not to own a record vacuum cleaner either from the point of view for playing a quiet record or preserving that record for future playing imo. What is your record collection worth?! The only question is which one to buy. For me Harry Weisfeld's HW-16.5 is a bargain and supports an ample cleaning regiment. I find even the brand new Classic records seem to be smeared with enough mold release residue to constitute an immediate cleaning before ever playing. I can hear the difference and to my ears it is equivalent to a sizable phono amp upgrade.

It seems that everyone is recommending to buy the VPI 16.5
I will have to agree with them.You must get the right kind of fluid and I heard that there are better replacement brushes out there, but see nothing wrong with the VPI brush.

The VPI brush is a great tool. I use it with a mount that hold it in place. With a heavy coating of Audio Intelligent Solution,I let it run on the 16.5 for about 10 minutes. The results are amazing.

Tim