VPI Industries
VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
$1200Cheaper
Best Record Cleaning Machines · head-to-head
VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine vs Clearaudio Smart Matrix Silent Record Cleaning Machine
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine is cheaper at $1200. Every spec and price links to its source.
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Clearaudio
Clearaudio Smart Matrix Silent Record Cleaning Machine
$3200
Which is better: the VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine or Clearaudio Smart Matrix Silent Record Cleaning Machine?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine is the cheaper at $1200.
See VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine on Amazon See Clearaudio Smart Matrix Silent 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 | VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine | Clearaudio Smart Matrix Silent Record Cleaning Machine |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1200 | $3200 |
| Brand | VPI Industries | Clearaudio |
| Released | — | — |
| Cleaning method | Vacuum (manual fluid application + vacuum drying) | Vacuum with bi-directional motorized platter rotation and controlled fluid application |
| Motor power (W) | — | 300 |
| Cycle time | 35-second vacuum pickup pass per side | — |
| Tank capacity | — | — |
| Ultrasonic frequency (kHz) | — | — |
| Noise level (dB) | — | — |
| Records per cycle | 1 | 1 |
| Drying method | Vacuum pickup tube, adjustable for record thickness, into a stainless-steel internal fluid-collection system | Vacuum drying, acoustically damped cabinet |
Sources — VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine: musicdirect.com (verified 2026-08-12). Clearaudio Smart Matrix Silent Record Cleaning Machine: upscaleaudio.com (verified 2026-08-12).
What's the difference between the VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine and Clearaudio Smart Matrix Silent Record Cleaning Machine?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (2 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Cleaning method: VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine Vacuum (manual fluid application + vacuum drying) vs Clearaudio Smart Matrix Silent Record Cleaning Machine Vacuum with bi-directional motorized platter rotation and controlled fluid application
- Drying method: VPI HW-16.5 Record Cleaning Machine Vacuum pickup tube, adjustable for record thickness, into a stainless-steel internal fluid-collection system vs Clearaudio Smart Matrix Silent Record Cleaning Machine Vacuum drying, acoustically damped cabinet