In consideration: I'd like to hear some thoughts from owners of the VPI 16.5

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withmusic

Super Member
As I am saving for a RCM, I am considering the VPI 16.5 as number one on my list. I do not want to spend more than the cost of one of those though because they are costly enough.
I note that it is made of MDF which in my opinion is a bad choice because moisture and MDF or sworn enemies. (On the other hand I don't plan on turning the VPI into a fish tank, so....)
I'm kind of torn because while I don't like the construction material and the cork mat and the noise (not much you can do about the noise). I also don't like the reported heat issues (a fan mod would be in order), I do like the clear vacuum tube and the powerful vacuum.

I'd like to hear some experienced thoughts and opinions from owners, present or past of the VPI 16.5. How you machine is holding up, issues you may have had as a result of build quality or if you've had none and stuff like that.

Thank you.
 
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There have been many posts regarding the questions you mention.Do a search when you have the time.

You can save a bit by buying used.That's what I did.

I can say that I've never had a heat problem,but I don't clean that many LPs in one sitting.

I have had an issue with a leaky hose connection.This was corrected by a replacement.The fluid did not cause any damage to the MDF,but there was a bit of corrosion to the tank.
 
Duane said:
There have been many posts regarding the questions you mention.Do a search when you have the time.

You can save a bit by buying used.That's what I did.

I can say that I've never had a heat problem,but I don't clean that many LPs in one sitting.

I have had an issue with a leaky hose connection.This was corrected by a replacement.The fluid did not cause any damage to the MDF,but there was a bit of corrosion to the tank.
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I'm also asking because the search function no longer works. I put in my search several different ways and it just keeps telling me "sorry - no results". then I try the advanced search and get the same thing. It used to work.
 
I have never had any heat issues with mine. I have cleaned over 700 records and I loaned it to a friend for three months also. I also bought mine used, so I have no idea how old it actually is. I've had mine for a little over 2 years. As for the construction, it's built like a tank. There is vinyl covering on all surfaces and I wipe it dry after every cleaning session, I rinse with a spray bottle of distilled water and it gets all over, but it's not an issue, IMO.

If you buy used, make sure you buy one with a stainless steel tank. The older ones had plastic tanks that were prone to crack and split. Also, according to the owners manual, you should empty the tank after every 12 sides or 6 records to keep the fluid from spilling into the vacuum motor. I have gone longer on occasion without any problems, but I don't make a habit of this.

The search function works fine. The issue is, it needs more than three letters to perform a search. I typed in "VPI record cleaning machine" in the advanced search and got a ton of hits. With that said, I would be happy to answer any other questions regarding the 16.5 that you might have.
 
classic carl said:
I have never had any heat issues with mine. I have cleaned over 700 records and I loaned it to a friend for three months also. I also bought mine used, so I have no idea how old it actually is. I've had mine for a little over 2 years. As for the construction, it's built like a tank. There is vinyl covering on all surfaces and I wipe it dry after every cleaning session, I rinse with a spray bottle of distilled water and it gets all over, but it's not an issue, IMO.

If you buy used, make sure you buy one with a stainless steel tank. The older ones had plastic tanks that were prone to crack and split. Also, according to the owners manual, you should empty the tank after every 12 sides or 6 records to keep the fluid from spilling into the vacuum motor. I have gone longer on occasion without any problems, but I don't make a habit of this.

The search function works fine. The issue is, it needs more than three letters to perform a search. I typed in "VPI record cleaning machine" in the advanced search and got a ton of hits. With that said, I would be happy to answer any other questions regarding the 16.5 that you might have.
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Thank you. I'm forced to buy new because I have never seen any RCMs on CL. (I don't do ebay).
I don't plan on any marathon sessions like I did with my manual set up. For one thing, my hands can't it anymore and for another my new method is very multi-step for some records and it will take about 20 minutes to do one record anyway.
Oh, so that's the secret handshake for search! I was typing in "VPI 16.5" with quotes and without quotes and all kinds of ways. I guess it doesn't like numbers either. I'll try typing what you suggested.
 
The AK search won't accept keywords of 3 characters or less. Use the Google AK search, and you will get many results for VPI 16.5

About 14,500.
 
I bought mine a few months ago, I love it. The MDF doesn't seem a problem it's covered in vinyl, so far no heat issues,noise issue is overated it's a vacuum. I've cleaned about 100 records, I had a Nitty Gritty 1.5 for 15 years, I bought the VPI because it seems easier to work with the record on a platter, more versatile I thought. Just my opinion. Very pleased with it.
 
withmusic said:
Thank you. I'm forced to buy new because I have never seen any RCMs on CL. (I don't do ebay).
I don't plan on any marathon sessions like I did with my manual set up. For one thing, my hands can't it anymore and for another my new method is very multi-step for some records and it will take about 20 minutes to do one record anyway.
Oh, so that's the secret handshake for search! I was typing in "VPI 16.5" with quotes and without quotes and all kinds of ways. I guess it doesn't like numbers either. I'll try typing what you suggested.
Click to expand...

I bought my 16.5 on Audiogon. I don't do Ebay either. On Agon, they don't last very long. When I bought mine, the seller told me that he had 10 offers in the first hour. I used the BIN button and I was in.

It takes me about 25-30 seconds to apply the fluid and scrub. I then turn off the motor and let the enzymes in the fluid do their thing for about a minute. I then turn the motor back on and start rinsing with the spray bottle of distilled water for a few rotations. Then I turn on the vacuum while still rinsing for a couple more rotations. The vacuum then sucks that puppy dry. I run the vacuum for about 25-30 seconds total per side.

The noise isn't an issue with me either. I checked the noise level with a SPL meter a few weeks ago and posted my results in a thread here somewhere. I think it was around 85db. I can't recall the exact numbers I got with my meter.

Edit: I found the thread where I checked the noise level. It's in post #56.

http://mail.audiokarma.net/forums/showthread.php?t=490226&page=4
 
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classic carl said:
I have never had any heat issues with mine. I have cleaned over 700 records and I loaned it to a friend for three months also. I also bought mine used, so I have no idea how old it actually is. I've had mine for a little over 2 years. As for the construction, it's built like a tank. There is vinyl covering on all surfaces and I wipe it dry after every cleaning session, I rinse with a spray bottle of distilled water and it gets all over, but it's not an issue, IMO.

If you buy used, make sure you buy one with a stainless steel tank. The older ones had plastic tanks that were prone to crack and split. Also, according to the owners manual, you should empty the tank after every 12 sides or 6 records to keep the fluid from spilling into the vacuum motor. I have gone longer on occasion without any problems, but I don't make a habit of this.

The search function works fine. The issue is, it needs more than three letters to perform a search. I typed in "VPI record cleaning machine" in the advanced search and got a ton of hits. With that said, I would be happy to answer any other questions regarding the 16.5 that you might have.
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I am that friend and let's put it this way. I probably would of waited years to spend that kind of money on a RCM if Carl didn't generously insist on me borrowing his to try. I guess that's what friends are for to set you straight sometimes :D

Long story short it was still tough to spend that kind of money after I had it for a few months. It became A TON easier when I gave it back and realized that it was worth it's weight in gold for the long term. :yes:

Less then a month later I got the money together to order the bundle package from music direct. Not a single bone of regret in my body months later. :music:
 
I like mine a lot. However... They are very noisy. So much so that I started wearing hearing protectors. It's the damned vacuum, of course, as all vacuums are, but once I took the whole thing apart and covered it internally with sound deadening (the car kind) I was able to bring the noise down significantly. Oh, and I also made up a thick mat of sound absorbing material for it to sit on. That helped, too.
 
Littletoot said:
I like mine a lot. However... They are very noisy. So much so that I started wearing hearing protectors. It's the damned vacuum, of course, as all vacuums are, but once I took the whole thing apart and covered it internally with sound deadening (the car kind) I was able to bring the noise down significantly. Oh, and I also made up a thick mat of sound absorbing material for it to sit on. That helped, too.
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The sound deadening thing is a good idea, but at 88db, at a foot away, it's not really that loud. I'm sure many AKers listen to music at levels louder than that.
 
I have a VPI 16.5. It's build quality is reminiscent of a student engineering project from a local community college.

Still, it really works well for what it is. I've had mine for about 10 years. The only problem I've had is with the little wooden blocks that hold the plex lid in place from falling into the platter. Both became unglued so I had to reattach them.

It's especially great if you collect 7 inch 45's. These are always filthy and the VPI cleans these like there is no tomorrow. You will have to buy the special wand for those.

The best advice I can give you- make sure you flush the clear wands with water when you are done for the day so the plastic doesn't get attacked by the soap.
 
Had mine for 2+ years and have done 200-300 lps so far. Like Carl, my routine includes switching the motor off while the enzymes are working. Therefore overheating has never been a problem. I take reasonable but not extreme care of the unit and it still looks like new. Tilt and drain the tank after using and leave tube unclamped and lid open to dry insides. Like furniture or bookshelves, the MDF is coated so it does not absorb moisture and swell unless heavily soaked. The only noticeable wear is felt on the tubes and that is easily and inexpensively replaced.

Buy it, you will like it :)
Roger
 
I bought mine used on craigslist. I think the next model up is made from plywood, but I think it cost another $1000. That is what the guy I bought mine from upgraded too. I have seen some get water damage on theirs, so I caulked mine as a precaution. The vacuum motor is loud, but so is my music. If you clean a lot of records in one sitting, you might want to do the fan mod, but I don't clean that many in a row. The only regret I have is that I should have got one a long time ago.
 
I bought a used one from a local guy who was downsizing his audio gear. Only issue it had was the mat was falling apart. No idea how old it is, but judging from labels on the box I'd say mid-late '90s. It has the stainless steel tank and looks spotless on the inside.

It is a great thing to have. I'm not sure how I managed without it. The big advantage to me is how you can play records right after washing them. This wasn't possible with my KAB-1 cleaner -- they were never completely dry like they are with the VPI. So instead of doing long sessions cleaning multiple records, I only do it when I want to play a record that needs cleaning.
 
Seems all of your questions have been answered. I'll just chime in to say that I picked mine up almost 10 years ago and it's still going strong and I count it as THE best investment I ever made in my system.
 
As for the heat issue, I once was doing a marathon cleaning session in which I had the platter turning for a while...probably somewhere between 30min to 1 hour. The spindle became quite hot to the touch. The solution is easy...as others have noted...just clean a few at a time, then listen! By the time you are done listening to your newly cleaned LP, the RCM will be cool again.
 
Flyrx said:
As for the heat issue, I once was doing a marathon cleaning session in which I had the platter turning for a while...probably somewhere between 30min to 1 hour.
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Holy ****! I've had cleaning sessions that lasted over 2 hours, but as I mentioned earlier, the platter motor never was on for more than 30 seconds at a time.
 
classic carl said:
the platter motor never was on for more than 30 seconds at a time.
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Aha, quite a difference from the session I spoke of previously! I was doing quite a bit of scrubbing so the platter motor was on a lot. Also, the length of time was not exact...whisky may have been involved.

Perhaps I need to learn a bit of patience and allow the enzymes to do their thing... :scratch2:
 
For most needs, the VPI 16.5 is all they need for record cleaning except for owning a carbon fibre brush. Ingjerd and I use the Loricraft system due to often using it for our work. We have a VPI 16.5 in one location used much less at one time. It is excellent and a good recommended investment. Really makes your records sound better with them being really clean. And opens a whole new world of used vinyl to you which was never kept very clean. And clean records make your stylus last longer to some extent.
 
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