# Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine vs VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine (Pro-Ject) and VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine (VPI Industries) among record cleaning machines. Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine is the cheaper of the two at $699.

## Side by side

| Spec | Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine | VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $699 | $1200 |
| Brand | Pro-Ject | VPI Industries |
| Cleaning method | Vacuum (manual fluid application + vacuum drying) | Vacuum (manual fluid application + vacuum drying) |
| Motor power (W) | — | — |
| Cycle time | Dries within 2 platter rotations at 30 RPM | 35-second vacuum pickup pass per side |
| Tank capacity | 2.5 L (85 oz) waste-fluid reservoir | — |
| Ultrasonic frequency (kHz) | — | — |
| Noise level (dB) | — | — |
| Records per cycle | 1 | 1 |
| Drying method | Vacuum suction wand on a tonearm-style pickup arm | Vacuum pickup tube, adjustable for record thickness, into a stainless-steel internal fluid-collection system |

## Key differences

- Cycle time: Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine Dries within 2 platter rotations at 30 RPM vs VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine 35-second vacuum pickup pass per side
- Drying method: Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine Vacuum suction wand on a tonearm-style pickup arm vs VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine Vacuum pickup tube, adjustable for record thickness, into a stainless-steel internal fluid-collection system

## Sources

- Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine: https://www.audioadvisor.com/products/pro-ject-vc-s3-record-cleaning-machine (audioadvisor.com, verified 2026-08-12)
- VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine: https://www.musicdirect.com/equipment/record-care/record-cleaning-machine/vpi-16-5-record-cleaning-machine/ (musicdirect.com, verified 2026-08-12)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/record-cleaning-machines/pro-ject-vc-s3-vs-vpi-hw-16-5/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine ($699) vs VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine ($1200) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/record-cleaning-machines/pro-ject-vc-s3-vs-vpi-hw-16-5/
License: CC BY 4.0.