The clear Audio is quieter than my 16.5 was , plus it's bi-directional. I paid $500 for mine on A'gon and sold my 16.5 for $425 on eBay. For $75 difference ther's no comparison. The build quality if the Clear Audio is hands down better than the VPI. I'm not saying the VPI isn't good, it is, just not built near as good as the VPI.
I reckon Toobs since you've had both, you'd certainly be a better judge than me. It's pretty tough to weed through what these machines consist of, as for motors, parts consist etc, and while one might find much written about the VPI 16.5 because of the vast amount of users, I'm afraid there really isn't much known about the Clearaudio Machines from a highly technical standpoint.
From what I've read from others users who have used-compared the two (perhaps true, or false), I believe I read the Clearaudio Smart matrix was only just slightly quieter than the 16.5 by about 2-3db at most. Probably one of the biggest gripes about the 16.5 is vacuum noise, and some have also noted hot operation, hence probably one of the reasons that the 17F, and Typhoon both use cooling fans.
The anomalies of the 16.5 may have varied over the years, as VPI may have used differnet parts consist, and vendors,manufacturers throughtout thier history. This may be why some have not noted overheating with the 16.5?
Me, being the tinkerer, and mechanic all my life, was interested in what made the VPI 16.5 tick. Things like what motors were used, inner components, and construction, address thier shortcomings, in which I experienced hot operation, with lengthy cleaning runs, using either a 3-4 step AIVS process, and often, 2 rinse steps as well with AIVS Pure Water Rinse.
Some may find advantage with reversible Platter Motor, but for my personal use, doing a multi-step process, manually applying, manual gentle bi-directional scrubbing, I think I would've found the reversible Platter pretty much useless. And with that said, there would be of course no advantage to reverse rotation when vacuuming.
The slight noted shortcomings with the VPI 16.5 led me to install a Cooling Fan, I added Dynamat to the inside of the machine, but in truth, maybe only dropped sound levels by a db, or two.
I next decided that the Cork Mat was something I didn't care for, and while I was in the process of finding suitable Mat material, I also went ahead, decided to replace the 16.5 MDF Platter had fabricated a brand new Clear Acrylic Platter, with the exact same dimensions as the VPI 16.5 Platter.
I have posted an essay on the 16.5 Cooling Fan Mod, and pics on the AIVS (Osage) website thanks to Jim Pendelton's help. And shortly, when I can find the time, I will add pics of the new Platter, and Platter Mat Mods as well to the Essay.
The two mods, Cooling Fan/Shroud, and Platter-Platter Mat cost me about $80-$85 to implement.
Good hands on knowledge, and reviews is valuable to us end users, and my hopes, would be that somebody in the future comes along, and would do some thorough reviewing of machines like the Clearaudio machines of varying cost, Those reviews I feel would better what one might read in Audio Mags.
I have found, through research, that there are sources for certain parts for the 16.5, such as Vacuum, and Platter Motors, Switches, through such sources as WW Grainger, that are less expensive than direct purchase through VPI. An advantage for those that can simply install a fresh motor themselves if ever needed, at a cost savings.
Things, like what particular brand-model Motors the Clearaudio Smart Matrix Machines use would perhaps be of interest to others?
One may then be able to find less costly sources, if, and when parts may be needed in the future, due to failure, as well as perhaps other good alternatives for those who may wish to try thier hand at a high quality DIY Machine. Mark
