Record Cleaning Machine – Recommendation Please!

If it's like the vacuum cleaner motors of old, the brushes on the motor may have worn out.  That or the switch are cheap fixes.  

Fix your VPI 16.5, and then buy a DIY ultrasonic record cleaning machine. The VPI is great for really dirty records, and the US machine will take it to a new level.

All that for less than the cost of replacing your VPI 16.5

+1 @jperry . Plus I seem to recall postings identifying the motor as costing less than 1/2 of what VPI charges from the original equipment manufacturer if you do a search. There is synergy in combining the two cleaning methods.

+2 @jperry , @whart,

No-brainer.

Thank you all for your responses. Quickly convinced me not to give up on what I have. 

My brother (who's electrically competent) was over and diagnosed the problem and found it to be a faulty switch! I'll take it! 

Now just need to search the internet and find a replacement...

Thanks again for responding,
Randy

Electronic parts are available from Digikey. A big, reliable, reputable dealer, with great service. I buy a lot there.

The switch on the HW-16.5 is nothing special.  It's just an off the shelf part.  Should be very easy to find.

Thank you terry9 and mofimadness. Will keep Digikey in mind for future reference. However, I had already found the VERY switch at Grainger for a mere $2.65, and can pickup tomorrow only 9 miles away!

Happy ending :-)

I've owned about ten different record cleaner, with  the original Keith Monk's being the first. I bought it from a radio station. In my opinion the Audio Desk that does everything itself is much better than  the original.

Just slide the record in turn it on and kit the clean button. Return after about five minutes and carefully remove your clean and dry record. I had previously founjd that cleaning a record with another record cleaner improve the sound, but not with the Audio Desk.  

I'm glad that the switch problem was resolved.  I'd like to chime in and say I really like my VPI Cyclone.  It's probably a tad overpriced for what it is, but it does the job with no fuss.

rbschauman
If you have a large LP collection, you should definitely try the Klaudio ultrasonic cleaner.  Its great, love mine and use it regularly.  Much better than my old Keith Monks cleaner.

Can anyone comment on the okey nokey?

I think the Clearaudio Double Matrix Sonic Professional is (by a wide margin) the best available cleaner.

I owned a Nitty Gritty (ok if you are in a budget or good for a first cleaning of a really dirty record) and the KLAudio ultrasonic machine in addition to the Clearaudio.

The KLaudio is fantastic, BUT won’t get fingerprints, smudges or any oily substances since it doesn’t have brushes. The Clearaudio uses ultrasonic vibrations, brushes and record cleaning fluid, so it gets EVERYTHING.

My process was typically a quick wash in the Nitty Gritty then onto the Clearaudio and then finally a short 2 min bath in the KLAudio. Overkill? Yes!

But the Clearaudio alone will get you 99% there. It’s big money but worth it if you’ve got the funds.