March 2008 - Walker Audio Ultra Vivid Soundstage review

This is exciting...
Walker Audio has developed a new product that improves the sound of CDs and the sound and picture quality of DVDs by as much as 30%.
Ultra Vivid is called an "enhancer" because it does much more than clean the disks. It contains a cleaning agent, optical enhancer and de-static properties. This allows the CD or DVD player to receive more of the
information that is on the disk and reproduce it with astonishing clarity.

What To Expect With DVDs
Ultra Vivid will improve both the sound and the picture quality of the DVD. Look for improved color definition and a cleaner, sharper image. Colors will be more alive without harshness or brightness. sense of depth to the picture. Distances between foreground and background objects become more realistic. Also, listen for sound effects to be more distinct and focused. The audio will have dimensionality and sounds will appear to move across the soundstage.

What To Expect With CDs
With Ultra Vivid, you will hear more of the music that is on the CD. The sound from CDs will be much clearer. The soundstage will be wider and deeper and more focused. Bass will be fuller, yet more precise and distinct. The upper ranges will be less harsh. High frequencies and harmonics will be more defined and natural-sounding.

The Issue of Scratch Removal
Ultra Vivid optically enhances and de-statics the disk in one application and it is non-abrasive. It is not intended to remove scratches. Scratch-removal requires an abrasive to "sand" the scratch smooth. While this can alleviate the problem of skipping due to major scratches, it also leaves many fine scratches that drastically reduce the "readability" of the disk.

The Issue of Separation
Ultra Vivid will separate. Shake vigorously to remix. Over time, Vivid loses its ability to remix. To prolong its effectiveness, close the bottle immediately after use, keep it out of direct sunlight and do not allow it to freeze. Best if used within nine months of opening.

Some Facts about Vivid
We been asked a number of times and seen discussion on web sites about Ultra Vivid - what is it and why is it priced at $70 per kit. Hopefully, this will help to answer some questions.

First, Walker mixes Ultra Vivid themselves, very precisely, using ingredients that clean, destatic and optically enhance the disk. Some of the ingredients are also used in car wax which accounts for its smell. Vivid is non-abrasive. You use only a very small amount on each CD or DVD. One kit is enough to treat 300 to 400 CDs.

With Ultra Vivid, the error rate during playback is greatly reduced. As Walker developed it, They were surprised at how good CDs can sound. Our tests with DVDs were stunning.

In addition to Ultra Vivid, we highly recommend Walker Audio Valid Points resonance control kits be used with your CD system. The combined effect is amazing.

Both Ultra Vivid and Valid Points are come with a guarantee of satisfaction. If you''re not pleased, return the products within 30 days for a full refund of the purchase price.

You''ve got nothing to lose!