Pro-Ject
Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine
$699Cheaper
Best Record Cleaning Machines · head-to-head
Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine vs VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine is cheaper at $699. Every spec and price links to its source.
VPI Industries
VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
$1200
Which is better: the Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine or VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine is the cheaper at $699.
See Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine on Amazon See VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine on Amazon
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| 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 |
| Released | — | — |
| 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 |
Sources — Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine: audioadvisor.com (verified 2026-08-12). VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine: musicdirect.com (verified 2026-08-12).
What's the difference between the Pro-Ject VC-S3 Premium Record Cleaning Vacuum Machine and VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (2 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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