Yeah...I'm aware.. tough to get rid of banding \ ripples as u call them if you want any kind of inner glow.. I know what u mean.... but without.. doesn't have the depth that I would like.
Its also going to depend on the type of monitor one is on and its settings. For instance barely noticeable at all on my monitor, Which is an IPS, designed for graphics....altho.. I do see it... but really to me, its negligible and if I want the inner glow there's very little that can be done, that I haven't done already.
Typically on a wallpaper or something that doesn't stretch, being creative with Gaussian blur and noise can help some but more difficult on a stretchable Start menu.
C'est la vie!
Thanks TBC 
