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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
crem1
672 posts
 
This thread is headed nowhere and should be removed out of respect for Lloyd Walker.
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
What a novel idea! I mean, who ever before developed a three step vinyl cleaning process before, using an enzymatic product as the first step and ultrapure water as the third and final step? The creativity shown here is fairly remarkable. My only question is whether XXXX had already planned to make his own 3-step process ......?

And my only question is whether it was noted and remembered by anyone that the AI stuff didn't even know the EXISTENCE of ultra pure water as a cleaner and rinse until Francisco (Physicanimal) brought the subject to light to them in the original beta tester thread. And, of course, not even Francisco was the originator of said use. Some novel ideas are even more novel than one might think (or admit).
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I have brought this thread to Lloyd's notice. His only comment was that he didn't care and that it gave some people things to do.

I do think that early on there were interesting comments and information. Perhaps we should go back to that.

I have the Walker cleaner but have yet to try it. Previously I had found that L'art do Son was superior to the AudioTop Vinyl cleaner using my Loricraft vacuum as the AudioTop evaporate too quickly. I will first see if I hear any improvement on already cleaned records using the Walker. I have several times tried the Buggtussell but have found no improvement with it. Perhaps this is because I don't have finger prints or food on my lps. So the enzyme treatment in the Walker may do nothing for me.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
This thread is headed nowhere and should be removed out of respect for Lloyd Walker.

Like I said, I *do* know the story: Walker deserves NO respect in my book--nor he would ever get professional ultrapure water consultations on my behalf.

With psychic power and primal intensity,

***
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Ignoring Psychicanimal's post, I have now done three records using the three step Walker Prelude. All of these disks had previously been cleaned using other fluids and my Loricraft. Previous fluids most recently mean L'art du Son, prior to that AudioTop, and prior to that DiskDoctor. In each case I listened to at least two cuts prior to using the Prelude.

It is quite clear that there are fewer pops and clicks and generally less noise. The ambient detail increases greatly and thus you get a more accurate soundstage it clear layering and depth. High frequencies are much cleaner and bass is better defined.

I lack the patience to try each step by itself, so all I can say is that the records sound better after Prelude use despite having already been cleaned with other products.

The three steps take a good time, but the improvement is quite noticable. There were no finger prints or food on any of the surfaces.

Tonight I will consume the small quantity of enzyme fluid I mixed.
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