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
Crem1,
Thankyou! Finally someone clearly explains the steam cleaning process and effect.

I bought myself a small hand-held cleaner but am concerned with 2 things:

1. How close to place the nozzle of the cleaner to the vinyl? (The nozzle is 4"wide by 1/2"deep with small holes along its length)

2. How long do you steam for? 30 secs or 3 minutes?

The answers to the above should remove some of my fear factor!
Groovey: For several years I have been experimenting with my own prototype made from off-the-shelf stuff that is effective. However, my concern is that the ultrasonic action "leaches" the chemicals out of the LP and sometimes I have experienced the H20 imparting a white crystal on the top groves ,should I use the machine for more than a 15 sec. or so. I have a feeling that the machine you forwarded has overcome my concerns, but who knows. All the Best
Slipknot1 Thank you for the kind response.

Clarets2: Place the nozzle on an angle , never allow the steam to come closer than 3/4" > I steam from 15-30 sec. per side followed by a ride on my VPI (cleaning solution of your choice but Walker highly recommended)followed up with a 2nd steaming and drying. My personal choice is the Eureka Hot Shot 350-A @ $55 to 60 at the big boxes.
I also used steaming with great success. I use a procedure almost identical to Crem1's. I find it easiest to apply steam while the record is rotating on the VPI, then I simply turn on the vacuum to remove the condensate.
Is it just me that thinks that the steaming will only make the vinyl expand, tighten up the grooves, and lock in the dirt, making it even harder to remove? I'm not bashing your steam cleaning idea, but I would at least like a scientific explanation of what is going on.

Also, how do you tell the difference between .005% gunk and 0% gunk? Were you just kidding around?

And the NASA folks... Were they just evaluating the steam cleaning idea by listening (you don't have to be employed by NASA to do that) or did they have some high tech methods to evaluate the effectiveness?

Creml, please explain more! It seems like the less you explain the more it sounds like "crazy talk," to me at least!