I also have a 6HP Crafstman / Ridgid, and also am unhappy with the noise. It sucks good, and has lasted several years of abuse. The motor mount has broken and the motor just sits there, but it still works. It'll blow up soon, because one of it's primary uses is at-source dust collection on my DeWalt ROS, which gets that motor pretty hot. I'd rate it 5 on a 10 scale. Not bad, but has its drawbacks.

We at Benz Air are a Nederman rep, and they have a competitor to the Fein, take a look at nedermanusa.com under Hi-vac. Send me an email at work, dbeale@benzco.com if that link doesnt work, and I'll dig it up for you. It doesnt have the CFM of the Crafstman, but has quite a bit higher available static pressure. It's designed for at-source tool collection. And, Ive read nothing but good of our esteemed competition, Fein is marketed more toward the woodworker. When the crapsman goes, I'll buy a demo Nederman unit.

: By the way, what's a good mid-priced shop vac to buy?

: Shawn