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VPI 16.5 Record Cleaner

Moi aussi!

I have the spin clean and find it does a good cleaning but would possibly spring for a vacuum type machine if I found one I could afford simply because of the work involved with manual cleaning.

I have cleaned about 500 so far but still have about 600-700 left to clean.
 
Got the records and listened to, cleaned, an listened to one. Still have one more to get to.
 
LPs arrived and I as I walked in today I saw them sitting on my pool table in the pristine white envelope!

I am shooting a commercial all day tomorrow, so I will most likely do the cleaning on Wednesday evening. Impressions will written down and posted after you post your impressions.

I am hoping to be able to have another pair of ears available as well but I won't wait. I also have a couple of nice clean sleeves I will place the freshly cleaned LPs into.

Can't wait to read all the results!
 
dear grumpy

do you own a 16.5? i was thinking of getting one... watching this post carefully
tyler
 
Hey there. Sorry about the delay. I have been a little distracted by X-mas stuff, but I promise I will have results this weekend! The albums are still resting comfortably in the package you sent.
 
I'll chime in as another very interested observer planning on buying himself a post-Christmas present!!
 
Local dealer let me demo a VPI 16.5. :thmbsp: I brought it home and cleaned 6 LPs. I will post my opinions/observations after your test cases.
 
I'm done and will be sending back the LP's. Like others the holidays side tracked me.

Grumpy
 
Please hold LPs until after Xmas. I am headed out west to see if I can break my neck in the snow and will not return until 30 December and would prefer that they not sit at the post office. Thanks everyone and have a Happy Holiday Season!!!

Glenn
 
Not a problem. Shoot me a message when you want then sent back.

Grumpy
 
Just a quick post...LPs are cleaned and ready to ship back. I will post pics of the process when we wrap this up...
 
If you put the LPs in the post back to me on the 27th that should work perfectly. As with everyone else, I am quite interested to hear the results. Will decide my next purchase. Either an LP washer or a Yamaha T-2. This trial will decide for me. Thanks to all and have a Happy Holiday Season!!

Glenn
 
This should be interesting. I have been trying to "catch up" with my LP cleaning. Been taking a few days off and using my trusty "Spin-Clean" and cleaning 50 or so LP's at a time. May have exceded the number of LP's per tank, but when you are sitting on the floor between 2 speakers with good LP's on the TT you just dont want to get up and mess with changing the solution. I spin 'em 3 times each direction and place 'em on a towel and place lint free paper towels between 'em as I run em through the tank. Final wipe dry and a new sleve and back in the jacket... Still have about 75 -100 left and I will be caught up.... That will take care of the contemporary stuff... The LP's that play after cleaning are clear and quite with almost no static and grunge noise. The ones that do sound a bit grungy clear up if I run 'em back through one more time. Must have been the ones at the end of the run:) :banana: For the price dont think you can beat the spin-clean...
 
I'm surprised you didn't just pop over to VPI as they are in NJ too.

Knock on the door and politely ask for a demo.

I'm told that Harry Weisfield doesn't bite ...much.

:)
 
Record cleaning ? What for ? The stylus cleans the grooves anyway.I tried to wash some of my records with luke warm soapy water.Dont think it made any difference.Record cleaning involving anti static dusters is also a complete waste of time in the long run and the records become more attractive to hair and dust than before.Just keep the vinyl covered in its sleeve and stored away.Keeping the stylus tip free from muck is the most important.

I used to be a collector of rare soul music.I can tell you this,cleaning and polishing,especially bringing the vinyl to shine bright,actually diminishes the the value and importance of the record.VIP cleaning is considered to be the WORST for this.Esthetically a record SHOULD look used but not abused,clean but not bright and especially not polished,scuffs ok but no deep scratches or other marks apart from matrix numbers etched or stamped into the end of the run out.The record should both look natural and sound natural-no adding or taking away.Otherwise you will need to wear sunglasses from all that glare of polishing !!! :thumbsdn:
 
Benedict,

We're not talking polishing, we're talking cleaning!

I respectfully suggest you try one of the cleaners here before dismissing them, there is *no doubt* that my lps' sound better after cleaning than before, to the point I won't even play new acquisitions until they are clean!

It also allows me to buy very dirty vinyl, which has paid off.

If you know of a needle that cleans pops and dirty spots please let us know.

Pete
 
I'm with Pete

I concur with your sentiments Pete. I own a 16.5 and it clearly makes a positive difference. Seems that most that have used it also agree. When I purchased my vinyl rig, I was guided to buy that before most other tweaks due to the difference it makes. Since my audio dealer is a friend I trusted him and found his points sound (plus I got a heck of a deal!). It may also be that "soapy water" is not the best alternative, are you really getting everything out of the grooves? As for polishing, never done it, never had a need, and probably never will. I think the folks at VPI are pretty honorable and wouldn't waste time producing something that isnt worthwhile... Just my opinion.
tyler
 
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