VPI MW-1 Cyclone Record Cleaning Machine

A Bidirectional Vacuum Cleaner Built to Outrun the HW-16.5

The VPI MW-1 Cyclone is a vacuum-powered record cleaning machine designed as VPI's step up from its long-running HW-16.5. Its platter motor scrubs and vacuums in both directions, not just one.

An 18 RPM turntable motor spins forward and reverse, so the vacuum tube pulls fluid off the grooves from both directions of travel. VPI rates the vacuum system to lift mercury 120 inches, a serious jump in suction strength.

VPI built the Cyclone to run noticeably quieter than the HW-16.5, despite the added power. Professional-grade toggle switches, rated for 100,000 cycles, control the motor and vacuum.

An aluminum waterproof case houses a welded stainless steel water tank with rear drainage. A 2-inch Delrin record clamp is included to hold the record steady while it spins.

Built for Collectors Who Clean a Lot of Records

VPI designed the Cyclone to clean a record in well under a minute per side, faster than its own HW-16.5. Bidirectional scrubbing and suction are the reason: less time spent on each pass.

At roughly 15.5 inches wide, 14.25 inches deep, and 9 inches tall, it takes up about the same shelf space as VPI's other cleaning machines. It weighs about 21 pounds.

It runs on standard 120V household power in the US. Like other VPI cleaning machines, cleaning fluid and a scrub brush aren't included with the base unit, so plan to pick up your own.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Anthony Nicosia reviewed the Cyclone for Enjoy the Music in November 2014. Using an SPL meter, he confirmed his own listening impression: the Cyclone "did sound a bit quieter" than his older VPI machine.

After cleaning a well-worn album, he found it played "free from any obvious distractions," describing the result as if "a heavy veil had been removed between me and the performance."

Dennis Davis reviewed it for The Audio Beat in May 2015, calling the Cyclone "a sports car in a land of station wagons" compared to older VPI vacuum machines.

He found records came out "cleaner and shinier than with other VPI cleaners," concluding the Cyclone was "that good in pulling everything from the grooves."

Who Is This Machine Best For?

• Vinyl collectors upgrading from a basic vacuum cleaner. Bidirectional scrubbing and suction clean more thoroughly in less time per record.
• Anyone who cleans a large collection regularly. Faster per-side cleaning times mean less time spent on repetitive chores.
• Listeners bothered by loud cleaning machines. Reviewers confirmed it runs quieter than VPI's own HW-16.5 despite the added power.
• Shoppers who want a proven design from independent reviewers. Multiple named reviewers praised its cleaning results over older VPI machines.
• Not the right fit for anyone on a tight budget. It costs substantially more than VPI's entry-level HW-16.5.

How Do You Use It?

Secure the record with the Delrin clamp, then apply cleaning fluid and scrub it by hand with a brush. Let the fluid sit briefly to loosen dirt before vacuuming.

Turn on the motor and lower the vacuum tube onto the spinning record. The platter's forward-and-reverse motion lets the tube draw fluid from both directions of travel.

Flip the record over and repeat the process on the other side. Plug it into a standard 120V outlet, and it's ready to use right out of the box.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the VPI MW-1 Cyclone:

• Turntables that deserve records this clean feeding their stylus
• Phono cartridges that last longer tracking clean, grit-free grooves
• Phono preamplifiers to complete a full analog front end
• Audio racks to give your cleaning machine a permanent home

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from VPI's HW-16.5?

The Cyclone scrubs and vacuums in both directions instead of one, cleans faster, and runs quieter. It also costs considerably more than the HW-16.5.

Does it include cleaning fluid and a brush?

The base machine includes a Delrin record clamp, but not fluid or a brush. You'll need to add those separately.

Is the vacuum tube automatic, or do I move it myself?

You lower it onto the record by hand. Once in place, the platter's bidirectional rotation does the work of drawing fluid off the surface.

How loud is it compared to other vacuum cleaning machines?

Reviewers measured it as noticeably quieter than VPI's own HW-16.5, even though its vacuum motor is more powerful.

What's the warranty?

VPI covers the MW-1 Cyclone for 90 days against defects in materials and workmanship.

See It in Action

BarakaPDub demonstrates the Cyclone's bidirectional cleaning cycle:

Let's Clean a Record reviews the Cyclone's cleaning results firsthand:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about caring for your vinyl collection, setting up your turntable, or getting the quietest sound from your records? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.