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
Maclogan, what is this "demagnetizing" your records? Do you mean removing the static electricity? If so, certainly you don't mean what you say.
Jejune : Sounds like a personal attack. That is regrettable. I'm never exactly sure what your tax dollars paying for but i'm sure that every $ spent is not on steaming . You are grossly uninformed . And if your $ were spent for steaming that would be unfornunate. That's not what i'm after ... Only bring the audio experience to a higher level for those that care.
90493m,

I'm also using the ELP/Loricraft and it's interesting but not surprising that I found a very similar procedure (posted in another thread), including letting the enzyme sit for a while, gave the very good results you describe!

I'm using the RRL products, L'art du Son and Buggtussel. Consider your results independently verified. Curious that you found the AI products not as good. I'm also going to test the Walker product eventually. Look forward to your comments on this.

The ELP is a great tool for evaluating how clean your vinyl is!
Slipknot,

Great review. I just ordered some of the Walker fluid to give it a try. Previously, I've only used Disc Doctor, so it should be a pretty nice upgrade. Just curious, do you think the Walker superclean water could be substituted with the battery water suggested by Crem1 or some other type of clean, distilled water? I have a Nitty Gritty RCM, but I may try to clean the records manually (with t-shirts or lint-free cloths), which may require extra water.

Mark
We're all crazy. I can't believe the amount of conversation we have and attention that we pay to cleaning records.....I'm guilty of it too. This is an insane hobby. All for the sake of good sound. I should have stopped with my first receiver and cassette deck.