VPI 16.5 or Okki Nokki

[Zolar Czakl]

SWMBO promised to buy me an RCM for my Christmas present. Initially I pointed her towards the Kiwi RCM but it seems like Ralph has shelved production of his RCM for the forseeable future and I don't want to put off the purchase too long just in case she changes her mind! :D
So it's become a toss-up between the VPI and the Okki Nokki.
The Okki Nokki has better WAF – the VPI looks a little 'industrial' – and checking reviews it's very much plus and minuses on both sides.
Any advice from users of either RCM would be useful in order to come to a final decision.

[Owen Young]

SWMBO clearly a wonderful human being, hope you're getting her something nice for Xmas? ;)

ie. Not a cordless drill :)

[neil]

Now take this with a grain of salt cause I sell them, but I have had a 16.5 since way before I started to sell them and it is a fantastic beast. Simple robust and does an excellent job.
Good back up too.

[King Size]

I'm in a very similar position. If Ralph was making the Kiwi RCM that's the route I would go but he isn't. So like you i've been pondering the other two and as you say they both have pro's and con's.

Looking at European pricing on the two the Okki Nokki is considerably cheaper than the VPI yet here they are very close in terms of price. Not sure what the US pricing is like but I would imagine they would be close there too.

I guess it's going to come down to which one you prefer the looks of and who you want to give your money to....

[Zolar Czakl]

US buyers get hit with a premium for the Okki Nokki – average price there seems to be US$649 (including lid; an extra cost option).
I suppose we feel the effects of long distance and a smaller market – so pay a premium on both.

[Newbie]

When I was in the market for a RCM I also had tossed up the idea of either the Okki or VPI.

Could get the Okki shipped for 500 euros from Germany, which include the lid and about 100 euros for postage (plus factor in GST, which more than likely I would be hit up for).

The VPI was about the same price from US sites (500) BUT in US dollars not euros! But they wouldn't ship to NZ, so you had to buy from the likes of Neil :)

In the end I bought the Kiwi RCM from Ralph to replace my KAB-EV. I wonder why he stop production as he sold quite a few to SNA members as well as in NZ, and it was a bloody great little machine.

Sold the Kiwi RCM, only because a double sided semi-auto RCM came up for sale at a price I couldn't pass up.

Others to consider are the Nitty Gritty range.

BUT back to the original question, if it was only the two and from the NZ suppliers, I would get the VPI. Proven track record/build quality and local back up. But seeing as either option is free, I certainly wouldn't be complaining if either landed at the bottom of my chimney, you lucky b@stard!!

[quentin]

Ask your SWMBO if you can upsize the pressie to a Loricraft...:)

[a poindexter]

Ask your SWMBO if you can upsize the pressie to a Loricraft...:)

and if she agrees push a little harder and go for a Keith Monks , its worth it :)

[Zolar Czakl]

Ask your SWMBO if you can upsize the pressie to a Loricraft...:)


and if she agrees push a little harder and go for a Keith Monks , its worth it :)

I haven't used a Loricraft RCM but do have some experience with a KM – however, much as I'd like to own either of those, it took me several months to persuade SWMBO to add another grand to the cost of the originally mooted Kiwi RCM and I reckon I'm right on the limit with regards to a Christmas prezzie. I suspect I'll be making a trip out to Onehunga sometime in the next week or so.

[quentin]

Loricraft is around the 3K NZD mark. Tell the CFO that the depreciation cost is very low and it will keep the value. :)

[Tim1]

I have owned a VPI for a year and it has behaved perfectly. Does a great job, easy to use, no issues. Way, way better made and more effective than my friend's Nitty Gritty.

[King Size]

I suspect I'll be making a trip out to Onehunga sometime in the next week or so.
What swung you in favour of the VPI?

[TonyD]

You might also consider Clearaudio Smart Matrix. Pricier than the two on your current shortlist but very well-made - aluminium cabinet, not silver-painted wood - and works very well for me.

[Tim1]

I had seen the VPI at work and was impressed with its build and cleaning power. Plus I had several times helped my friend fix his nitty gritty which regularly leaked and had begun to rot the wood. I coannot comment on the others but the VPI is certainly well made, efficient and does exactly what I want.

[Zolar Czakl]

I sounded out SWMBO over the 'phone concerning the Loricraft – she was not swayed by the low depreciation argument, and I haven't personally got the funds to make up the cash difference.
I did look at the Smart Matrix, but cost was also an issue. Looking at a few internet sites, some reckon that the Okki Nokki is effectively a Clearaudio RCM. Dunno whether that's true or not.
Anyway, since starting this thread, I've had a chance to try out a VPI and, despite sounding like a jet engine on idle when you hit the vacuum switch, it looks to be just the job. The Keith Monks I was able to temporarily use last year was much quieter but the VPI seemed to do just as good a job of cleaning dusty old vinyl.
And, according to some experts, the VPI is pretty bomb-proof apart from a tendency to over-heat if used to clean too many records at a time – that's something I can live with.
Final decision next week when SWMBO returns from her overseas trip – then I can approach her for approval (and access to her bank account)! :D