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Walker Audio Prelude LP Cleaning Solution

I did not want to post this as a full review as this is my initial first impression using the newly released Walker Audio Prelude LP Cleaning Solutions.

Prelude is a 3-step process consisting of enzymes, premixed cleaning solution and an ultra pure water rinse (made via a 7 stage filtration process). I comes nicely packaged with the following: a 64 ounce container of ultra pure water, a 16 ounce squeeze bottle of premixed cleaning solution, a second bottle of water in a 16 ounce squeeze bottle, an empty 4 ounce squeeze bottle, and a jar of enzyme powder, along with a small scoop and a slightly larger scoop.

Lloyd’s research indicates that enzymes in a solution only have a life cycle of 8-10 hours before they die off. By keeping the enzymes in a powder form, and only mixing enough to be used during a cleaning session ensures they stay active.

If you plan on cleaning 5-6 or so LP sides at a time (which is what I have been doing), use the small scoop in the enzyme powder. Place the powder in the empty 4-ounce bottle. Add some of the water from the 16-ounce container up to the “A” mark on the 4-ounce bottle and shake to mix. Apply to the pads of a cleaning brush and lightly scrub the LP as it spins on your RCM. Let it sit for 15-30 seconds and vacuum off.

Using a second brush, apply the premixed cleaning solution to the pad and apply to the LP as above. Let sit for a few seconds and vacuum off. Do not let either solution dry on the LP.

Using a third brush, use the ultra pure water as a final rinse and vacuum off.

I have had lots of experience with different LP cleaning products, including Disc Doctor, Audio Intelligent, and L’Art du Son. The AI solutions are similar to Prelude in that they also use the enzyme solution as a pre-treat prior to cleaning. The AI enzyme come premixed, unlike the Prelude. The enzyme powder formula of Prelude ensures that the enzymes stay viable until they are needed. I really like the AI solutions when I used them, and missed them when Paul sold the business.

That said, The Walker Audio Prelude is the best of the AI, kicked up several notches. Lloyd Walker has hit another one out of the ballpark. After cleaning several LPs that I thought I knew backward and forward, I can report the following: surfaces are dead silent, with no residue what so ever from any of the three steps. There is no static build up, and even well played LPs have that shiny right out of the sleeve look to them.

Focus, detail and transparency are the first three words that come to mind when describing what I am hearing. The inner detail on familiar LPs lets me hear for the first time things that have been there but never fleshed out of the grooves the way it is after using Prelude. At least, that's what MY ears are telling me. The music just leaps out from the utter blackness of the grooves. And, your records are REALLY clean. What else could you expect from one of the true masters of the analog arts? Who better to bring such a great product to the market for LP lovers than the man who builds what I consider to be the finest LP playback product in the world?

Give Lloyd a call and talk to him yourself about Walker Audio Prelude. I have no financial connection to Walker Audio other than the fact that I am a very happy customer and use many of their products in my system.

Kudos to Lloyd, Felicia, and Fred for creating another great Walker Audio product.
slipknot1

Showing 7 responses by jejune

jejune
29 posts
 
As for NASA folks, they are SOME of the same that put robots on places far too distant to appreciate with the naked eye but they do. Remember, they sought me out after experimenting with the idea.

Yeah, right. If you are saying that NASA is spending my tax dollars to test the efficacy of steam clenaing vinyl records, THAT is crazy talk.

Unless I am corrected by the results of independent research that throws up strong possibilities that I haven't considered, I'll continue to regard this method as equivalent to the "demagnetizing" of vinyl records.

Don't hold your breath. The enzyme makers are more interested in marketing research than scientific research.
jejune
29 posts
 
Crem, take it as an attack if you are that defensive. YOU seemed to be saying that folks at NASA were testing the efficacy of steam cleaning vinyl records. No? If they were doing this as part of a taxpayer funded activity, I consider it a waste of money. If you are just talking about people who happen to work at NASA who are doing some sort of home testing, I'd only ask, so what? That's all.
jejune
29 posts
 
Gee, I'm sure we are all comforted to know that YOU are the the end of the story arbiter. The real end is that your earlier post was either intentionally or unintentionally written to make folks think that there were "heads" at NASA testing steam cleaning on vinyl records and consulting with you on same. Now, it appears that you really meant that you are adopting some trickle down theory of technology that these "scientific" types have employed in other areas and of cleaning and with other goals and MATERIALS in mind. We won't even go into the issue that some of these same folks whose efforts we are supposed to trust implicitly okayed certain o-rings and heat tiles which, shall we say, did not pass the stress test. Luckily, matters of vinyl records are not so critical and the track record of these folks with respect to producing transferable technology is much better on an overall basis.

So, if you have tried lining up your records along with the sport coat you just popped out of the suit case, fine. Just don't bring NASA into it as if they are the cornerstone of your research on the topic.

With respect to ultra clean water and its efficacy as a cleaning agent, I do not think there can any longer be a debate. However, I would prefer to trust the folks with the knowledge who have done specific tests with this water in combination with a wide variety of surfactants and other ingredients SPECIFICALLY with respect to how they react and perform on VINYL RECORDS. There are very, very few of them around and those couple are not touting steam cleaning. But, the next time I want a good cleaning on the trailing edge of my shuttle flaps, I'll see what NASA has in mind.

Guessing it won't be the end of the story.
jejune
29 posts
 
If it's a knock off of that stuff, they could have picked a better model.
jejune
29 posts
 
Which only goes to show how sordid this whole business is - deals made, backs scratched, research faked - save for a few select individuals that you can trust.
jejune
29 posts
 
I only said what I did in response to what Flemke claims. Though I am not saying that what Flemke said about Lloyd Walker is necessarily true, it is an example of what goes on all the time in this hobby. Remember, Tbg, FLEMKE said that about Walker, not me, though I will admit to perhaps jumping to conclusions in using what he said as an example of a larger issue (should have incldued "if true" in my post). I would also hope that if it IS true, Flemke has proof. That being said, I advise YOU to be careful of WHO you accuse of slander and read more carefully.

OTOH, I can cite many examples of such dealings in this business that come from personal expereince, personal observations, and proven actions. I firmly stand by my statement that there is collusion, back scratching, and outright fraud in the business. If you do not think so, you are naive.
jejune
29 posts
 
Given what Flemke said? If that is the case, it would seem your issue should be with Flemke, not me, and funny you make no call to him. I noted in my own post of the possible conclusion jumping only to see that you feel forced to repeat that. Flemke made the accusation, not me. If Flemke gives proof of what he said, I will summarily retract my conclusion jumping admission and stand by what I said earlier. If he cannot or will not, then I will offer my apology to Mr. Walker in his absence. With that I will not comment on this topic further,
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