Opinions on Walker High Definition Links


I think I have become a tweaker. I tried the Walker SST silver cream and was favorably impressed. I am now thinking about the Walker HDL's and would appreciate any observations you might have on this product. Current setup includes Audio Physic Virgo II speakers, Rogue M150 amps, Camelot Uther IV DAC/Preamp, Theta Basic II transport and Tara Labs air 1 interconnects and speaker cable. I have been researching component upgrades but have not found anything exciting that doesn't require a hugh capital outlay therefore I am looking at tweaks to optimize my current system.
Thanks
Steve
sgunther
Rcprince, that is an interesting anecdote, and it is nice to see measurable proof to corroborate what many of us have heard. I have used these in my system as well, and noticed a subtle, but definite effect of making the overall sound less fatigueing. A smoother treble response makes sense and correlates with what I heard.
I would second what has been posted here. I just got the Reference HDL's to try on my Dynaudio Temptations. Lloyd told me to give them 3-5 days of burn in before doing an A/B comparison...so I did. They definitely work as advertised in my system / in my room. Upper frequencies are more natural with less glare and I have yet to detect any negative impacts of using them. Bottom line, they are staying. His new Ultra Vivid for CD's and DVD's also works as advertised. If you listen to CD's I would recommend trying the Furutech demagnetizer. It also definitely works as advertised and at $340 is a good value.
I have just installed a 2nd hand pair of HDL Ultimate links and they clearly produced an improvement, particularly in the treble. I noticed the greatest improvement in imaging and soundstage, you seem to hear deeper into the recording. I am not sure how they work, but work they do in my system.
In the interest of full disclosure, let me first say that I'm a dealer for Walker Audio. Of course, I chose to take on his line because I believe in him and his work. He is so fanatical that you can virtually expect his stuff to be the best, most evolved, most tweeked out product in whatever arena he enters.

One significant thing I wanted to add to this thread is that the HDLs do not only effect the high frequencies. In my experience, as well as that of many others, they clean up the entire range. The bass gets tighter, the midrange more palpable and, of course, the highs smoother and more delicately revealing. The reason for this appears to be that the ultra sonic hash that is removed seems to interact adversely with the amplifier causing problems in the entire output. The HDLs can even dramatically improve subwoofer performance.

Also, re: the Furutech, Lloyd has just come out with a demagnetizer for LPS, CDs and DVDs called the Talisman which is purported to outperform the Furuech at much less money. Although I haven't personally compared it to the Furutech, I can definitely vouch for it's effectiveness, again cleaning up the entire range.
Just installed ref. HDL's on my Infinity RS1b's [needed two sets] and must say they are one of the most dramatic improvements in quite some time [up there with component upgrade!!] Overall sound quality improved [clearer, stage deeper,detail resolution VASTLY improved, Bass FAR MORE articulate and deeper with improved resolution] and Lloyd says they have not yet fully broken in. This is another of those pricey tweeks that REALLY IS WORTH IT!!! With the money back guarantee you can't go wrong [I'll bet you don't send them back!]