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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
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.
metralla
945 posts
 
Guessing it won't be the end of the story.
I'm betting you are right.

Regards,
flemke
596 posts
 
This stuff sounds just like a knock off of Paul Frumkins cleaner. Whats the big deal. Anyone compare the two? 3 steps to clean vinyl with enzymes.

Tim
jejune
29 posts
 
If it's a knock off of that stuff, they could have picked a better model.
slipknot1 OP
1,423 posts
 
I merely reported above MY experience with the product.
I have used the AI product and liked it very much. Still do.
I am using the Walker Prelude product now and like it very much.

That said, I AM NOT a chemist. The debate going back and forth so far has detracted from the intent of this thread. The naysayers that are dismissing the product out of hand would do best to try it first, compare it to AI and draw your own conclusions. It seems like flawed thinking to claim something does or does not work if you have not tried it.

If you don't intend to try one or the other, please start your own thread to debunk the theory behind enzyme cleaners.

Like our choices in audio equipment, the choices we make to care for our LPs are our choices. At the end of the day, we only have to please ourselves.

I have used RRL, Disc Doctor, AI, L'Art du Son, Walker and have my preferences. I happen to like the AI and the Walker, but prefer to use one over the other at this time.

If you've tried the Walker Prelude and wish to debate its efficacy, fine. If you haven't tried it, opinions as to whether or not it works, are not really germane to this thread.
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