[brooklyn]

I bought a used beat up VPI 16.5 record cleaner about seven years ago and I had to refurbish it. I've been using it ever since, wouldn't live without it.

[vinyl_guy]

An RCM is absolutely essential. At a minimum and if budget is an issue, start with a Spin Clean. Years ago I started with a Parastat, added a Discwasher and then the Allsop Orbitrac manual cleaning system before popping for a VPI-17. I now use a Loricraft PC-4 which is significantly better than the VPI. I have a steamer for those really dirty records. No serious vinylholic should be without an RCM.

[threadkiller]

I like your cleaning history... Allsop, that takes me back..

[Gopher]

Grant Fidelity sells what looks like the same RCM for $550:

http://shop.grantfidelity.com/Consonance-Vinyl-Record-Cleaning-Machine.html

And once you calculate shipping for the RCM you likned to, that one becomes a $554 RCM.

If you are going for under $500, I would grab a used VPI-16 or 16.5. (if you can live with their looks.) They are plentiful. And if you are patient you can get one for around $250-300 on eBay. And parts are easily available from VPI, as is an upgrade kit for conversion of 16 to 16.5 (a worthwhile upgrade).

Yes, I've owned about 5 VPI 16.5s over the years.  My MO has been acquiring a large stack of stuff that needs cleaning, buying one and re-selling it when I'm done with my cleaning.  I basically treated them as loaners throughout college and law school. 

Just the same, the chinese offerings look more attractive, physically and I can't help but wonder what kind of group price we'd get if we could string maybe ten people together and ship to a single location...   Just thinking out loud, the work involved in organizing is probably too much to justify saving a couple hundred bucks... even if it nets a 'prettier' product.

[threadkiller]

looks like the okki nokki....plus, it's distributed here in the states....made by Hanss, who's been making those pretty cool tables...distributed here in the US by the Lotus Group.  so no go on your group buy from China.

[roscoeiii]

Yes, I've owned about 5 VPI 16.5s over the years.  My MO has been acquiring a large stack of stuff that needs cleaning, buying one and re-selling it when I'm done with my cleaning.  I basically treated them as loaners throughout college and law school. 

Just the same, the chinese offerings look more attractive, physically and I can't help but wonder what kind of group price we'd get if we could string maybe ten people together and ship to a single location...   Just thinking out loud, the work involved in organizing is probably too much to justify saving a couple hundred bucks... even if it nets a 'prettier' product.

Love that strategy Fred!

[SteevA]

Thinking of getting one of these. 

http://kiwircm.co.nz/

I already have a vac that should do wet OK.

Steve

[threadkiller]

but isn't that a wet one also? love the name....

[Gopher]

Love that strategy Fred!

Lol.  It was a way to get by as a zero (or next to it) income student.  Even now as an adult I'm still in the habit of making cash flow diagrams to see if I can afford upgrades...  crunching the numbers until they work.

[SteevA]

but isn't that a wet one also? love the name....

Yes the RCM is but since you have to provide your own vacuum cleaner, which you attach to the RCM, they recommend a wet/dry one if you are doing a lot of records.  That one also looks like it will be a lot easier to store than many I have seen.


Steve