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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
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,239 posts
 
Sabai, you make some very good points.

One thing for sure is that Synergistic Research will continue to change their design. With the cost of their products being so high, they can afford to search for the ultimate Holy Grail. Good for them.

But I too have chosen to get off the ride. This is because the old Synergistic Research products lose their value tremendously once the new products are released and the fact that Synergistic Research does NOT have any realistic upgrade path.

My Pass Labs Amplifier always sounded better on a separate dedicated outlet than being plugged into the Synergistic Powercell. That is, with the Amp plugged into the SR Powercell, it provided a darker background, but it also seemed to suck the “life” out of the music.

So, after reviewing your post, perhaps I should pull my SR Powercell out of my 2 channel completely and use it for my Home theater equipment.

I have always had some type of power conditioning with my front end equipment and now I wonder how a power regenerator would perform.
sabai OP
2,027 posts
 
Ozzy,
You stated, referring to getting off the SR ride, "This is because the old Synergistic Research products lose their value tremendously once the new products are released and the fact that Synergistic Research does NOT have any realistic upgrade path." You hit the old nail on the head here. I imagine a lot of older SR cables go unsold each time SR leapfrog's itself. I have been left in the dust more than once with SR products.

Regarding pulling the SR Powercell from your system, I also found that the SR Powercell "sucked the life" out of my music. I would highly recommend putting a high quality medical grade isolation transformer up front. I picked up a honey of a tranny on Ebay (made in Germany with dual voltage -- good for me since I am on 230 volts) for only a few hundred dollars -- mint. I have a Bybee Stealth power conditioner plugged into the tranny and a Monarchy power regenerator plugged into the Bybee. The Monarchy is the best bang for your regenerator buck anywhere. It is rated at 100 watts. I have my transport and DAC plugged into it -- stunning.
thankful
222 posts
 
I am looking to do business with companies that provide long term value and a components/cabling that are made with quality and importantly that are musical. I have been beating the Von Schweikert Master Built cabling drum because I finally found cabling that allows the music flow beautifully. They are not hyped and mass marketed, on the contrary you have to look hard to find anything about them. Audiophiles need to support companies like this that do right by their customers. Without naming companies I have seen to much exorbitant pricing and mass marketing all of which we the consumer pays for. Research and technology must continue that is how we get better products but take care of your customers. How are we going to get the younger generations into high end audio with this crap going on???
joeyboynj
621 posts
 
I am the younger generation into high end audio. There is no problem with Synergistic Research. Synergistic Research won 2 Best in Show at RMAF with a small down to Earth system. That alone says to me Synergistic Research knows what they are doing and their products are top notch. Yes, their products are expensive. In my system, I enjoy their products very much. I’m not going to bash a company because they come out with new products every so often. I prefer a company that continues to do research and comes out with new concepts and technology. They sure are consistent to produce products that are innovative and interesting and seem to not hold back on their constant pursuit to come out with new and improved gear. IMO, that company sounds like a winner to me.

We all have our valued opinions. I like reading everyone’s take on the subject. I formed my opinions by trying all the Synergistic Research products I purchased before I buy them in my home and in my system and comparing them to other manufacturers.
joeyboynj
621 posts
 
Sabai, I don’t agree with your comments about the Powercell 10 SE. This is what I was able to conclude when I removed the Powercell from my system. The Powercell is only as transparent as the power cord that it is plugged into. In this case the new Element Copper/Tungsten Power Cord is far more transparent then the Precision Reference AC cord it replaces. Nothing more, nothing less. The Powercell in my system does not hold anything back. I got my powerful Audio Research Dsi200 integrated amp plugged into it. The DSi200 delivers 200 WPC continuously into an 8-ohm load and 400 WPC 4-ohm load. And I don't have any problems.
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