Walker SST- Anyone using this stuff?

tnewell · « **on:** 28 Dec 2004, 09:21 pm »

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has been using the Walker SST contact enhancer and could describe the sonic benefits. Been thinking about ordering some but I am a little nervous about applying it. I have heard you can short out equipment if not careful. I am not the most technical astute guy in the world.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks
Tom

BobM · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Dec 2004, 09:40 pm »

Lots of reviews and stuff over at Audio Asylum tweaks page. Just do a search.

I have the Mapleshade Silclear product (similar concept - some would say the same thing at a less expensive price). Used it on my power cords, then branched out to interconnects and speaker cables, then went hog wild on tube pins, fuses, internal wiring connectors and such.

So I guess you could say I found it beneficial.

Enjoy,
Bob

Mad DOg · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 Dec 2004, 12:36 am »

IIRC, there are a couple of threads here sharing impressions of the Walker SST treatment...try the search function.

Kenobi · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Dec 2004, 06:22 pm »

Hi,

I found it very beneficial in all applications--particularly AC-related. Overall, the sound is cleaner, clearer and faster transient speed. In addition, the video on my TV is sharper and has better color saturation as well as contrast. Great product. If the Silclear is equivalent, I'll save some dough but am happy with results as is.

ted_b · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Dec 2004, 06:48 pm »

I just redid my entire home theater and 2 channel setup, and decided it was a perfect time to buy and use SST. Dumb me, because I made so many changes to the audio side (shorter/better ic's from pre to amp, etc) I can't accurately comment on how much the SST treatment improved the sound, but the sound is very improved, especially the blackening of the noise floor. However, I can easily comment on the video side (HDTV, Runco 930 120in 16:9 screen, etc), cuz not much changed there. The SST made the colors sharper and the overall picture is brighter. Makes sense, snce I'm getting better contact at the AC and cable interfaces.

Word of caution: use SST very very sparingly. I probably treated 10 ac cords and their receptacles, 15 pairs of ic's and their female jacks, a bunch of component and rgb cables, and biwired speaker wire at both ends...and used slightly more than the amount that was smeared on the cap of the jar. If you use too much you will a) waste expensive silver slurry; and b) risk shorting out a connection. Only put it on about 1/2 the shaft of the male ends of things, and ONLY on the outside edges of the jacks. Don't put it in the jacks!

Rumors are that SilClear is identical, or at least equivalent. Dunno. I was not willing to bet $40 (price diff). I didn't buy the SST extreme though ($150), just the SST.

Edit: Tom, I had the same concerns. It's not risky at all if you simply don't shove the applicator into the jacks. Half the shaft, outside rim of jacks...done. The back of your equipment will be a bit greasy, though, cuz the outside rim of the jacks are spaced very closely and you want to err on the side of keeping the applicator away from the openings.

Ted_B

tnewell · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Dec 2004, 06:56 pm »

Thanks for all the responses. Just ordered some SST from Music Direct. I 'll report later on results.

Thanks!

Tom

John Casler · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Dec 2004, 08:13 pm »

While I have no reason to think this is true, I was told by MapleShade (of course) that SilClear is not only "as good" as SST, but it is better.

Claim was that it had almost 2 x the Silver suspension.

I have heard both and felt they were both equally as good.

I think both "for the price vs improvement" are well worth it.

BrunoB · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Jan 2005, 08:19 pm »

I wonder how these silver greases work because Silclear does not conduct electricity, at least that's what my multimeter tells me when I stick the two test leads into the grease.