RCM recommendations


currently I use separate disk doctor brushes with Audio Intelligent enzyme and super cleaning fluids to scrub the LP's. I then run the LP through a Spin Clean Record Washer and dry the disks with multiple micro-fibre cloths.

I like the idea of doing the clean with a cleaner fluid then doing a distilled water rinse, then vacuum with the machine. What is the best way to go ?

Clearaudio, VPI or other ? Thank in advance.
128x128rockitman

Showing 3 responses by markd51

Not to start a whole new debate thread here of which is better, but maybe some suggestions might be in order?

I own-use the 16.5, but never the Loricraft (yet). I've heard a bit of pro, and con about the Loricraft. I do understand it is a bit more complex machine that can have it's issues, and perhaps much of the con about it, was largely due to a lack of proper user set-up-maintainence.

I know that in the past, Doug Deacon who seems to know quite well, the ins, and outs of the Loricraft has offered much help, and tips to others about extracting its best performance.

I believe the same can be said about the VPI Machines as well, that one needs to examine, and insure the Vacuum Wand is properly adjusted for height set-up. It is adjustable, via Collar on the Vacuum Tower. There is also a bit of adjustment as to the angle of the Vacuum Slot in relation to the record.

I seen a recent thread on vinylengine which some claim the slot needs to be exactly perpendicular to the record's surface. I don't believe this is correct, that the Slot does need to be ever so slightly tilted to enhance efficient fluid pickup.

If this is uncertain to some as to which is true, it's nothing more than a simple email off to VPI to get the straight dope from the horse's mouth.

While it is probably true that the amount of physical contact that the wand creates upon a record could be detrimental versus a string feed type machine, I believe those detrimantal effects can be lessened with some fine tuning.

This characteristic of a change in sonics could also possibly be enhanced by dragging a Wand with flithy protective strips from a perviously cleaned record across the following record. Another claimed dislike, is the possibility of cross contamination of fluids, and/or rinses.

These issues I feel can be lessened with regular periodic cleaning of the wand, and as well, the use of at least another spare Vacuum Wand Assembly. The cost for at least one more additional Wand to dedicate for the final rinse is not that bad, I believe around $70.

I have heard of one person going to the greater length of having a dedicated Vacuum Wand for each step of a multi-step cleaning process.

In any case, virtually all will tell you the great importance of a final rinse step. I myself personally would not believe any cleaning product manufacturer's claims that thier cleaners come completely off a record, without leaving any traces of residues. Mark
Fastxr, What you are saying, about poor build quality of a VPI Model 17, is virtually akin to saying you bought a 1978 Chevy Camaro, and the engine knocked, leaked oil, had bald tires, and was in a poor state of repair.

This model 17 you acquired is most likely many years old, may have seen a number of different owners, cleaned 70,000+ records, and was a unit that went through much use, much misuse-neglect.

I'm not sure, but what you say about an open top to both resovoirs on the 17 having open tops to them, is still possibly true today, that the resovoirs are buttoned up to a bare sheets of MDF, thus exposed to the ravages of moisture, and time.

These can be addressed by an end user, but perhaps many would agree for the price that is paid, they shouldn't have to be.

Rubber Foam Gaskets, which are commonly used to seal Vacuum Motor to Resovoir tank will dry, rot, shrivel, and go bad over time. Nothing, especially parts like this last forever. It would be like saying "my oilpan gasket should've lasted forever on my $60,000 Mercedes", but eventually all things can wear out.

I've done a number of mods to my own VPI 16.5 RCM to enhance its performance, and increase its longevity for long term, heavy duty use.

They are not that hard to work on, and inspect, repair, and modify. I'll agree that MDF is not the ideal material to ever be used in the vicinity of fluids, so with that said, one should take measures to insure swelling, and water damage will not occur, or can be minimized. It is as simple as a small can of Polyurethane Varnish, and a Caulk Tube of RTV Silicone Caulk.

The 16.5 RCM has been kept cheap for more than one reason. One reason is of course to keep profits up by the company, and the others are to produce a machine that can be affordable to the masses. Should VPI themselves address every single possible issue that could ever occur to this RCM, you can best believe the price tag will rise significantly. That many of the needed modifications, and improvements can be implemented by the end user for a much lower cost.

Those issues are, needed additional cooling (fan in many instances), replacement of a poor material choice of a Cork Mat, the sealing of exposed MDF Surfaces within the machine. Nothing a weekend project, and roughly around $50 in costs to alleviate-rectify. Mark
Fastxr,
I do agree, that just a few improvements could have been implemented. Although the costs of materials needed is not high, I reckon in a manufacturing process, time is money.

Let's say, that a company like VPI took a Polyurethane Sealant, or even something like that spray on bedliner material, and coated the entire interior of something like the 16.5 machine.

Probably not that much money per unit in materials, maybe what, $10-$15 at most, but the labor, and time to do such costs.

I also agree, that many folks who buy these machines aren't shadetree mechanics, (like I consider myeslf as being.) They want a plug, and play piece of equipment without these sort of unforseen issues. And I do believe that many owners have gotten the unpleasant surprise-discovery, often when it's too late, when they see fluids exiting the bottom of the machine, and find considerable internal damage due to leakage.

Or a prematurely burned out vacuum motor, due to not following some basic common sense precautions with such a machine. All of the Ametek-Lamb Vacuum Motors used in all current VPI machines are not waterproof. These motors are commonly used in commercial vacuums, and other vacuum systems, and those systems commonly use a internal baffled recovery tank.

The VPI Machines do as well, but tip the unit on its side, while fluids are in the recovery tank, and you'll introduce those fluids directly into the Vacuum Motor. That mistake can ruin, and even possibly electrically short the motor. VPI will possibly void a new warrantee if they find such evidence of misuse.

On occasion, like any other manufacturer, there is margin for manufacturing errors, and VPI has continually prooven in the past to be a company who stands behind what they sell.

Three years ago, when I was in the market for an RCM, I researched every machine within my monetary means, weighing pros-cons, features, or lack of. I did spend many weeks, if not months, and concluded the VPI 16.5 was the best personal choice for myself. I didn't desire a highly elaborate machine, with dispensing tanks, or as sophisticated, and costly a machine as say the Clearaudio Double Matrix.

I knew beforhand, that I would most likely be using multiple step cleaning processes, and thus, those added features would be in essence useless to me. I liked the fact, that the VPI 16.5 was simple, and relatively inexpensive, that in the event of a Vac, or Platter Motor Failure well out of warrantee, I could personally replace-repair those parts with not too much cost, or work.

As I close, I of course haven't forgotten the original poster, and that I hope some of my comments will help that person make the best logical choices for themselves. :-)
Mark