Record Cleaning Machines

I have a lot of vinyl and like the operation of my VPI 16.5 just fine. It does an excellent job of cleaning with the minimal amount of hassle and the price was not too bad at all. What more could one want? It is truly a necessary component in any well set up analog system. Whichever way you wind up choosing to go, a vacuum record cleaner is an excellent investment in sound quality and record preservation. Happy Listening!

Bgrazman,

I also have a lot of vinyl and have purchased a lot of used vinyl over the years. I've become a committed user of the Disc Doctor cleaning fluid (original formula) coupled with the convenience of a VPI 17 which I've used for over 15 years.

I prefer the VPI to the Nitty Gritty because it provides a great platform for scrubbing the record with the DD pads. I use the built-in VPI fluid applicator/brush soley for applying the double rinse that I do (using distilled water). The 16.5 would do as well for the scrubbing platform and vacuum, just without the convenience of the rinse application.

I've considered the Loricraft, but have not gotten convinced that it would be as fast or as convenient a tool within my DD cleaning regimen.

The most important factor for me has been the use of the Disc Doctor fluid for cleaning, not the choice of RCM.
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As an owner of the 16.5 and previous NG I agree with both of the above. FWIW

Bgrazman, Rushton makes an excellent point about convenience. I think the VPI machines are hard to beat because they really make it about as painless as it gets to seriously scrub up those great old vintage finds. I also employ the Disc Doctor fluids and like the applicators they offer as well. Here is a great thread that covers everything one could ever care to deal with in record cleaning IMHO. Personally I follow some but not all of this regiment. Cheers!

www.musicangle.com/feat.php?id=54

Based on my research, from reading tons of opinions here and on Audio Asylum (and I suggest you research it yourself and come to your own conclusions!), but the differences, in my mind, are:

The NG and the VPI basically use the same technology, (i.e. a wet-vac with a slot to suck the fluid through), with the VPI being slightly better built, and having a nice built-in place to scrub the records on. (The NG is cheaper, but will get the job done nonetheless.)
Both of these machines are LOUD! So much so, that some poeple use earplugs when using them.

The Keith Monks and the Loricraft use a different technology, (it uses a smaller vacuum tube with a string), which is supposedly not only better, but much quieter as well. (I have not actually seen either of these in person, but I confidence in the opinions of people who have purchased them that they are better and quieter.)

I currently use a NG 1.0, with RRL fluid, and I have no complaints. It works well for what I use it for, which is to vacuum the excess fluid off when I am done cleaning the record. (And it was really cheap, especially used!)
At some point, I would love to buy either a Keith Monks or a Loricraft, but they are both too expensive for me to purchase at the moment.

My two cents worth anyway.