Pro-Ject VC-E

I recently sold my VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine. I didn’t use it very often and it takes up a fair amount of real estate. It went to a friend who buys a lot more vinyl than I do, so it’s gone to a good home at least. I had lugged it back with me from the USA about 20 years ago on a trip to visit my former in-laws.
It was an excellent machine though. It wasn’t the quality of it that was my issue, but the size. I don’t have that much spare space anymore and the bulk of the VPI was too much. I did consider some things, like the Humminguru, but it was going to be relatively expensive by the time it got to me, and for the amount of times I would use it I didn’t think it was worth it.

However, Pro-Ject do a unit called the VC-E. It’s fairly small and no frills, but it does a decent job, having used one at work many times. It doesn’t have a full size platter like the VPI does, but it is a great size. I can store it in my LP shelf.
Of course I bought it. It only has a cleaning wand for 12″ LPs, unlike the 10″ and 7″ wands I had with the VPI, but that’s fine, at least for now.

Absolute Sound reviewed it, as did Soundstage! Hifi.

Small is good for me, as far as an accessory like this goes. It does do a good job of cleaning LPs. I have been using the L’Art du Son fluid for a fair while and it performs really well, and I will continue to use it. There’s a forward and reverse function as well, which is pretty handy.

I’m not the biggest fan of the goat hair brush they supply, as I find they tend to shed a bit. I will use my Mofi brush I think.

I don’t usually buy second hand records. I’m not really a vinyl collector per se, but I do like how music sounds on vinyl, and of course the better cover art, so will seek it out when I can. Of course, new LPs can be covered in gunge too, so the little Pro-ject should be more than enough for my needs.