2. cables
  3. 1339181977

The Problem with Synergistic Research

The problem is one that a number of cable makers suffer from. I preface my remarks by noting this not a problem that is exclusive to Synergistic Research. I use SR as an example because I am more familiar with their cables than with the cables of other companies that have the same problem.

The problem is the cost of incremental improvements. SR makes some great products. But, in spite of their copy writing, not all SR products are great, IMO. Some SR products have made great improvements in my system -- like the Tesla SE Hologram D power cord. That having been said, in retrospect, despite the bally-hoo that surrounds SR product launches, most of their products have brought no more than incremental improvements to my system. Products from other cable companies have brought equal or greater improvements for me -- often at much lower cost.

The problem is that SR has such fast-paced marketing with products coming out at a gallop supplanting recently released products -- such as the SR line of PowerCell conditioners -- that I sometimes feel I have been left in the dust.

We cannot stop the relentless march of technology. But at the high price of most of SR's offerings one is often left with sense of being left out instead of left in when new products come on the heels of products one has just purchased. The SR trade-up program does not remedy this problem at all, IMO.

There are many other cable companies without fast-paced marketing that provide equal or better value for the money, IMO. Companies like Bybee, HiDiamond and Cardas. I am probably not the only one who feels as I do about SR and other companies with fast-paced marketing.
sabai

Showing 4 responses by dover

dover
2,187 posts
 
Sabai,
The reality is that you made the decision to spend your money, and you were obviously happy with your purchases. If you took your "outdated cables" out of the system and put them back in you would find they are still doing what they did when you bought them.
If you expect all future purchases from that manufacturer to be at factory cost, they would be out of business and your purchases would be unsupported.
To go on here and whinge about the cost of upgrades, target specific companies and yet claim that you have to respect your own privacy is hypocracy.
Even if the product were snake oil, you bought it, grow up and stop blaming other people for the outcomes of choices you made.
dover
2,187 posts
 
Sabai -

SR 70% trade in deal :

The Lifetime Upgrade Passport Program works as follows:

You receive up to 70% back on the retail value of your original SR purchase regardless of the price you paid. This applies to any Synergistic Research product, even if it is 20 years old. There are only 2 requirements to initiate the program.

1. You are the original owner, (the product was purchased from an Authorized SR dealer). A receipt may be required.

2. You are upgrading to a Synergistic Research product or products whose value is twice the price of the original purchase to receive the full 70 % rebate.

Example:

If you purchased an X Series Resolution Reference interconnect in 2001 which retailed for $1000 and you want to use your Passport to purchase a new pair of Element Copper Interconnects ($1200 120 volt US version) and and a Tranquility basik ($950 US 120 volt version), you’ll get 70% or $700 credit toward your purchase. Any combination of new products can be used to reach your two times qualifier so you can take advantage of all our new technologies."

This is actually quite generous. If you assume dealers mark up of 50% then the dealer in the above example makes $300 on a $2000 sale. No business can operate on $15% margin. Yes, they can onsell your tradein, but the reality is this then represents a lost sale of another new product at 50% margin, notwithstanding they may have to dump your tradein at a loss. I dont think many products get more than 50% of new price on 2nd hand market and yet you are offered 70% irrespective of what you paid.

I do not own any SR product but stand by my comments, your arguments are bollocks.
dover
2,187 posts
 
"In my system I still use SR cables -- in series with cables from HiDiamond, Bybee, Cardas, ASI Liveline and Supra LoRad (as a bridge connector with Oyaide plugs/IECs) to achieve the effects I am looking for."
This is precisely why you guys have so many problems with cables. You are simply using them to bandaid your system.
I only use MIT, have done for 30 years. Some of my cables are 25 years old, still perform to a high standard and in fact are worth more today than what I paid new.
dover
2,187 posts
 
What I dont understand in this story is :
Why would anyone spend time and money sending an interconnect back and forth from the manufacturer to simply solder a connection. Any competent local technician could do the job in less than 2 minutes and probably would not even charge.
I am surprised that even with no warranty, that a cable manufacturer would not simply take a few minutes to fix the joint.
I also note that the author also mentions making home made cables in other threads, therefore it seems odd that he wouldn't just fix it himself.
I can only surmise that there may be more to this story than the author is saying. or the whole story is pure bunkum.
More to discover