Record Cleaning Machine Reviews

Michael,

How you suffer for your art. :)

Michael ,
I really enjoy you’re informative and very funny videos . Please keep them coming .
Thank you for the time and effort you put in to making them .

...as a comedian :-)

I have been looking at this machine for awhile now. I have a VPI HW-16.5, (started as a HW-16, then when the kit came out, I upgraded it). The serial number of my unit 15. It has cleaned tens of thousands of records, but after almost 35 years, it's starting to show it's age.

I like the build and the price of the Project unit better. Plus it seems to be quieter.

I caught your comment about the John Entwisle album being "released in 1971, the same year you were born." Nice try since you've talked about working in record stores in 1968 and '69 when you got first copies of The White Album and Abbey Road. It did give me a chuckle.

I have an use a VPI 16.5 that is still going strong. Takes two passes to dry a record. However, I like the project machine better for 3 reasons.
1) Platterless - I do stick a mat I made from a poly inner sleeve for the clean side on my VPI. (I should really get something better). Having the platter-less design though is better in my opinion. I did not used to think so, but it makes perfect sense.
2) Metal vacuum wand
3) May be a lot quieter than my VPI comparatively.

The one thing I do like about my VPI is that rather than lift that heavy machine and try to take it to the sink, the VPI has a drain hose. Also the parts inside are replaceable. Ok, that is two things.

That said though, as with many things Pro-Ject, their RCM is most impressive in my opinion. I almost wish my VPI needed replacement so I could get the Pro-Ject RCM, but the VPI is still going and I have cleaned upwards of 600 records on it, some more than once.
If I need a second RCM though while the $5000 ClearAudio is a bell and whistle candy store and pretty neat, I would opt for this Project RCM without hesitation.

Michael thank you for introducing more record cleaning fluids to try. I am going to get the TM-8 for sure to try. I have tried many and my go-to is the Audio Intelligent fluids, I have had good results from them, but I am always willing to try new ones that are safe. It's healthy.
I'm still a bit hesitant to try something that stays on the record though like Gruvglide or LAST even though you recommend LAST. I worry about stuff like that getting on the needle and even wicking up the cantilever.

I also stand fully behind you in purchasing cleaning fluids by people who know what they are doing. I have seen it all including guys who use scrubbing bubbles bathroom cleaner on their records claiming it is the best. People like that do not realize that most proper, good record cleaning fluids are not expensive at all when you do the math. A 16 oz bottle of AIVS fluid will easily clean 200 records for example.
It pays big dividends to use the right tool for the right job!

They would build this exact design but without a built in vacuum. I think many if not all own a shop-vac. It would be a ton smaller and likely have a lot more suction that what they have in there (I'm guessing about that one). Additionally, if a person doesn't own a shop-vac having one is a good idea and can now be used for more than one purpose.

If I was in the market for a vacuum rmc this would be the one I'd buy.

1. Platterless (brilliant!!)
2. Sounds pretty quiet (if it needs to spin 5 times to fully dry, so be it)

Michael, do you know if this is the latest version, the Mk.ii that apparently came out last October?

Michael make the world a better place. Always good to have a laugh mate,
plus a bit of info as well :)

Everybody seems to think platterless is brilliant, please help me understand. I would think that having the record unsupported would lead to it being put under stress while brushing. Am I missing something?

How does the wand do with the typical record warps? It seems like it would jump over the warped areas.

I just ordered one.

Nice review. Time to go clean some rekkids !

This new Pro-Ject RCM operates just like the OKKI NOKKI for about $100.00 less -- which I have owned. I'll stick with my SPIN CLEAN. PS -- this Pro-Ject (like the OKKI NOKKI) is not meant to completely dry the record. The vacuum motor will burn up.

Thank you for this well-written review.

I have a VPI 16 that has served me well for 30+ years. My only complaint is that it shuts down after about an hour of continuous use. I presume there is some kind of protection circuit in it to keep the motor from burning up.

Do you know how long the VC-S will run in continuous use?

Michael,

I've been following you for a long time here and on youtube. This'll be my first comment on anything you've written, or recorded.

I've had a VC-S for over a year. It's proven to be fairly reliable for me. I'll get to that later. But a little insight on the RCM.

1: Mk II, may actually be Mk III, unofficially.

2: Mk I - The first release had a plastic/nylon ball knob at the top of the clamp and a different label seal, also the want and the wand base were all metal. This could cause the wand to lock up. Also replacement velvet strips would not stay on the want. Black nylon end caps on the end of the vac wand.

3: Mk I.5 - revisions (when I got mine) - changed the ball knob to something more cylinder shaped and easier to grab- still plastic/nylon. Changed the label seal (supposedly inferior to the first seal, I do get fluid on my labels if I really go to town), changed to a nylon/plastic wand base to eliminate lock ups. Better adhesive on velvet strips? Or removes a coating on the aluminum vac wand? Or whatever they did to make the strips hold better.

All of the above - had cheap sticker labels for the control switches that easily peel off. And a wooden handled goat's hair brush.

4: Mk II (or is it 3? Or Mk 1 revision 3 in Michael's hands?) - aluminum knob on top clamp (Michael's review model has it). Aluminum, or at least aluminum LOOKING end cap to the wand (Michael does not have it). Supposedly quieter vac? Screen printed switch labels? Michael can confirm. Plastic handled goat's hair brush. Maybe some of the specs changed?

5: Platterless design is great.

6: My Mk I, or Mk I 1.5, or whatever is loud, but not ear splitting.

7: Dries great in two passes, at most 3. I do a fluid application, followed by a distilled rinse.

So the issue that I have had is that after one year my vac motor started making a rubbing sound as it winds down to a stop. Sounds like something is bent possibly. But I am no vac tech.

At the moment, my RCM is sitting at Sumiko being diagnosed. Should have it back, or a replacement unit sometime shortly. Sumiko IS taking care of it though.

As far as I know, I am the only person I can find who has had this issue.

Very pleased with the VC-S, does an admirable job at cleaning my records. I too prefer the platterless design so I have zero worry of re-contaminating the clean side.
Mine takes 2-3 turns to dry, no issues. What I just started experiencing is the vacuum sound changed to a higher pitch whine, the suction has not been affected, but it has gotten louder.

Dual direction motor is very nice too.....

Garbage. I purchased one. I needed 2 arms at full strength to turn the arm because it was machined incorrectly. Horrible customer service as I had to pay my own freight ($42) to ship it back to them even though it was brand new. The dealer (who shall remain nameless at the moment) bears some responsibility on this as well. After 1 1/2 months, I find out that they agree and want to ship me a new machine but it won’t be available until March. I told them to keep it, I do not want it, give the dealer their credit, and I called the dealer and said I’ve no interest in another one. If I didn’t need a new AVR processor, I would have asked for my funds back. I just used the credit towards that. Worst customer service from Sumiko. I would never purchase another product of theirs again.

Cheers Michael,
i love the way u do your work, found you on youtube and love the videos, start reading reviews and its awesome. Funny way this all, sadly we have no simular thing in germany. please go on :)

Greetings from Wuppertal

Chris

How about a brillo tipped stylus? :D