Vivid Reviews

Product Reviews

Soundstage March 2008

"Of all the CD cleaners, the Walker Audio Ultra Vivid made the most improvement in sound...if you're not satisfied with less than the absolute highest-quality sound from your system, using Ultra Vivid will take you a few steps closer to audio nirvana, and if you were upgrading your system, you'd have to spend considerably mroe to achieve the same sonic improvement." VF

Dagogo November 2007 web link

"... I had two non-audiophile friends over last month for some listening. They brought several of their own CDs. I played several cuts from their CDs, and they “ooohd” and “aahd” over how great they sounded in my system. I then told them I’d like to try something.

I took those same CDs, treated them with Ultra Vivid, then replayed the same tracks without changing anything else in the system. I said nothing at all, but within 15 seconds each of my friends demanded to know what I had done. They were sure I substituted my own CDs. I told them to listen some more and tell me their impressions. Initially they talked about detail, then clarity, then other buzzwords. Finally, after about 30 minutes, one said, “It just sounds so much more natural!” He immediately wanted the info for Ultra Vivid that night, and the other called me the next day for the same info.

I believe that this quality of striving for natural sound is the idealized goal that Lloyd Walker is obsessed with, and that he tries to inject it into each of his products.... It’s the sum of detail, clarity, openness and other buzzwords that creates that “natural” feeling.

So will new improved Ultra Vivid fix your terrible-sounding CD player’s faults? No, but it will sure make it more palatable. And if you have a high-end system, you may find that a few pennies per CD will give you more bang for the buck than that component upgrade you’ve been contemplating. Definitely recommended."

EnjoyTheMusic AA Chapter 90 April 2007

by Bill Gaw web link

"On DVD's there appears to be more color saturation and depth of image, both related to better reading of the bits with less interpolation. On CD's there's a bit (no pun intended) of improvement in resolution of low-level information with the instruments and voices better focused. The biggest improvement is a further decrease in high frequency harshness over other products tried, which is probably secondary to the player not having to work as hard at interpolating missing data. This does not come at the loss of high frequency information.

...The biggest surprise was how effective the solution was at improving DVD-Audio and SACD. Since, like DVD-Video, the pits are much smaller and must be read more accurately by the laser, the solution seems to have a significantly greater effect...this background information which resides in the least significant bits is where the ambience information resides and that the Ultra-Vivid shines at retrieving.

..Right now, this solution seems to be the best that I've been able to review at improving information retrieval from digital discs and highly recommended. Combined with his Talisman disc destaticizer AA Chapter 85, the effect produces some of the best digital sound I've heard from my favorite recordings."

Positive Feedback Online

Issue 30 March 2007

by Marshall Nack web link

"the reformulated UV (Ultra Vivid) is great stuff...I've already begun treating all my favorite discs....When murk is begone, clarity makes an entrance. Guaranteed, if you use these products, you will get more..."

Positive Feedback Online - Issue 4

by Dave Clark web link

"Music from discs 'enhanced' by Vivid was simply more vivid than before. The music came from a darker background, with less noise, and as such was more

energized, with more detail, articulation, and musical enjoyment. I would not say that there were any tonal shifts, though the treble had a bit more life and clarity. On DVDs, the sharper images and brighter colors were real eye-openers. DVDs gained a look that was reminiscent of film. Movies were much more involving and realistic. This is a no-brainer. Buy some."

Bound For Sound Issue #143

by Martin de Wulf

"Get me a Doctor! This stuff works!!!...After applying Vivid to the recording, the outtake became scarily "vivid" and palpably alive...I nearly came out of my chair and applauded; for a moment I felt as if I were there...Nothing comes closer to turning your regular CDs into little sonic holograms than does Vivid. Recorded sounds turn into physical events happening before you...And does it work on DVDs. Better picture, better sound, better everything - A keeper."

Enjoy the Music.com April 2002

Audiolics Anonymous Chapter 32

"Viva Vivid" by Bill Gaw web link

"What has the product done for my digital reproduction? 1. Gets rid of most of the high frequency stridency. 2. Appears to add a couple of digits of low level information making an improvement in microdynamics and the background hall information. The stage widens and deepens. 3. Tightens the deep bass and adds inflection to voices which is normally lost with CD's. 4. Decreases skip and error correction for all disc types. 5. Adds vibrancy to DVD-video discs. 6. Even SACD's and DVD-Audio improve on space retrieval with multi-track discs. 7. Adds vividness of color and improves the PCM sound reproduction of Laser discs with require 6-7 drops per side. Is that enough? Sure is for me considering it costs pennies and seconds per disc to perform."

Enjoy the Music.com March 2002

"Vividly Valid Walker-isms.."

by Srajan Ebaen web link

After applying Vivid, he writes "I can hear it right away and am shocked... My wife...mutters something to the effect that this is the most blatant before-and-after difference she's heard in a long time....plainly obvious gains, say 20 to 30% to indicate how readily verified. Lloyd's got a winner on his hands."

"I have only once, many years ago, played a grand piano; the sound and sensation of the fingers pressing the keys, activating the hammers and the resultant sound has never left. It's something I look for in all piano recording since. Well, here it is clearly. Likewise I also discovered early on the track of Riders in the Sky...a guitar recorded very lightly and not heard before! And so it goes. Schubert Trios ( Philips) have become much fuller sound....many thanks" CPB

Email January 2006

We are a custom installation business catering to home theater enthusiasts. I am some what a skeptic when it comes to liquid enhancers for DVD/CD applications. That being said my wife purchased your Vivid product for me for Christmas 05. I have to say that I was literally blown away by the improvements to both video and audio in my high end theater.

I have never seen a single product or component that created so much for so little. I will be recommending your Vivid to all clients in the future. Congratulations on a super product.

M. W. Sundance Systems

Email November 2005

"...I have an extensive library of movies on DVD and I can't tell you how much better they look and sound. Congratulations. This is one of the most incredible breakthroughs in the fields of high end audio and video I've experienced since the introduction of surround sound and high definition television." SW

Email November 2004

"I have used up my first bottle of Vivid - the BEST CD tweak ever, in my experience - ..." LS

Email October 2004

"...with Vivid the improvements were there in spades. Violins and basses had real wooden bodies that resonated...Attacks and decays were more easily followed. Voices has a person firmly attached but never grew too large, they got smaller and more focused to a point source in space. It would be as if the performer stepped closer to the microphone without increasing the volume. The Vivid made everything more believable and more musical." LR

AudiogoN Posting September 2004

by Cello

"We listened to several types of music and did blind A/B comparisons and found Vivid to be clearly superior over Auric in the improvements we experienced."

Audio Asylum Posting July 2003

by Chuck

"Walker Audio Vivid cd cleaner beats Illuminator hands down."

Email July 2003

"I have finished applying Vivid to my 600 CDs. I remain convinced it is the cheapest system upgrade imaginable. Thank you for the increased realism in every one of those CDs." -BK

Audio Asylum Posting May 2003

by Robert H.

"Vivid is DIRT cheap…the absolute LEAST expensive and by far the MOST effective treatment out there.

I treated over 1,100 CD's with my $70 kit of Vivid - and there is no other treatment that can come near to that coverage. You figure out the math that's dirt cheap for even a marginal improvement, but the difference isn't subtle.

I tried Optrix, Marigo, Yamamura, Mapleshade - none come close, although Mikro-Smooth is very good.

A sign of the very high quality that goes into Vivid - the applicator pads last a LONG time, and can be cleaned easily. No other product has applicators that last as long as the treatment. The pads with Mikro-Smooth start to ruin discs rather quickly, and don't lend themselves well to being cleaned. Walker has obviously done quite a bit of work to find a pad that REALLY works, rather then just throwing some cheap crap in like others do. The wipes supplied with Vivid are likewise superb - and they, too, last extremely long. Nobody else provides this level of thought and detail.

All in all, Vivid is one major audio bargain, it's simply dirt cheap."

Audio Asylum Posting Feb. 2003

buxter66

"Try walker audio vivid…you'll be amazed!"

AudiogoN Posting January 2003

by Wellfed

"Walker Vivid improves resolution, provides deeper bass, and is aptly named, as the sound is very vivid (dynamic) after treatment. I find it simpler to use than Auric Illuminator…I thought the Auric was a worthwhile improvement, but Walker Vivid beats it in sound and application."

Audio Asylum Posting January 2003

by Robert H.

I used Optrix or Marigo on CDs for a long time- good. I was using Mapleshade Micro-Smooth for the last year ..I tried Walker Vivid – WOW!! This stuff was a wholesale, major upgrade to my digital front end in every respect. The transport runs smoother and quieter – a very good sign. Sonically, everything is mellower, rounder, smoother, and free of grunge. Amazing product. I’m so impressed I’ve treated 300 discs so far!

E-mail December 2002

" I tried VIVID on my DVDs and it worked as you claimed. Colors became more Vivid and overall picture quality was much more like a

film quality...as if I upgraded my DVD Player in my home-theater setup. Great product." R.D.

Audio Asylum Postings November 2002

by rhino

"No problems putting vivid over optrix… i don't even use the optrix anymore really. just the vivid. unlike all the other stuff out there, vivid works...."

by Rlxl

" Everything else I've tried (and I have tried them all) is a distant second. Try this stuff. I think you be will amazed."

E-mail October 2002

"Your products have transformed my stereo system. My speakers are Soundlab A-1's and the rest of my system is of commensurate quality. I use Omega Mikro interconnects, valid points, HDL's, and butcher block. All have made enjoyable improvements in sound detail. I thank you for that.

But I am writing to talk about Vivid. Over the past several months I have applied it to about 500 of my 600 classical music CD's. It has always made an appreciable difference, in several cases a striking difference. It makes CD's sound more analog-like, more natural, more live. I have been an audiophile for 50 years and Vivid makes more difference for less money than anything I can think of."

E-mail from Dealer June 2002

"Vivid has been unofficially renamed Wow! by the interested listeners I demo'd with last night. CD after CD was consistently and greatly improved."

Audio Asylum May 2002 by Wellfed

" I have tried both Auric Illuminator and VIVID and found VIVID to be the superior product."

E-mail April 2002

"Wow... definitely better than Optrix+ Mikro-Smooth."

Audio Asylum Postings April 2002

by TomD

"I've used AI and Optrix. I have also used Micro Smooth. IMO (in my opinion) the Vivid is better. I just hear more of the music using the Vivid."

by Aftermidnight

"Well, this stuff is the real deal. Just finished a comparison between my Optrix + Mapleshade Mikro-Smooth treated cd to the Vivid. The Vivid pulled out and defined instruments with greater clarity and precision. Fuller defined bass. Vocal stunning...I highly suggest trying Walker's HDLs and now his Vivid cleaner."

E-mail March 2002

"The stuff is amazing. The improvement is far from subtle. I have used Auric, Optix and Micro Smooth. All are good, but the Vivid is in a class by itself."

E-mail March 2002

"What can I say about the Vivid, "Holy Shit Batman"...There is no aspect of the sound that did not improve. The mids are to die for. Voice and instruments are near real...Dynamics were pushed to a point I did not know my system could produce....In short, I am very impressed with the Vivid. People do not know what they are missing by not using this product."

Audio Asylum Postings March 2002

by Alung

"It is a wonder in and of itself. Anyone not using Vivid on their CDs is really missing something. I just got the Vivid and have been held speechless by the results.."

by Norm

"I just got a bottle yesterday and cannot treat my cds and sacds fast enough.....I have used many, many other products and had settled on Optrix cleaning and Jena Labs mist polishing. The Vivid is a revaluation even on disks previously so treated. It is not just cleaner highs and a much better bass. Vocalists sound more real and present. The bass improvement is staggering. Try it; you'll like it!"

Letter March 2002

"You did it again. This stuff really works as claimed! I compared it with Mac cleaner and Mapleshade, not even close!"