Record Cleaning Machine

I have had 3 VPIs since they were first introduced. Initially, I bought a Nitty Gritty to compare with the first VPI with the wand in the lid. I sold the Nitty Gritty to a friend who still has it. I had had a Keith Monks string cleaner in the early 70s, but sold it as a pain to operate. In 2001 on Sept. 14th while stranded in London, I went to the Hammersmith Show and heard the Loricraft. I bought one on returning to the States. Its main benefit is a clean string on which the vacuum arm rides as it crosses the record. One never has a contaminated wand crossing the vinyl.

The Loricraft also cleans better. I had very many records previously cleaned on the VPIs and found they sounded even better when cleaned with the Loricraft. The one liability of the Loricraft especially in these days of the weak dollar is that it is expensive. Record cleaning fluids also matter.

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I agree with Tbg....Record cleaning fluids matter a great deal....you need to pick the right one.....
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Rgds,
Larry
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Owned a 16.5 for lots of years. Nice unit, worked fine but I used it rarely. I was afraid to become deaf while using.

I currently own and use the VPI 16.5. I previously owned and used the Nitty Gritty 1.0 for about 13 years. The VPI is superior in all ways. It cleans better and its automation is a plus for speed and if you want to go to a multiple step cleaning process.

Buy used the first time. I recently bought a co-workers used NG 1.5Fi for $125 - a steal IMHO. My first RCM - wished I had done it sooner. It clenas the LPs so ggod and they look prisitne when I remove them from the RCM. I will replace the scrubbing strip and capstan drive roller. I am very happy with this model.