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
Joeyboynj,
You stated, "The Powercell is only as transparent as the power cord that it is plugged into." This may be true. But if so, what explanation is there that an $1,800 power cord -- the Precision Reference -- is not transparent enough and cannot do the job properly? Why would SR market and ballyhoo this power cord with the Powercell if it were not up to the job? This confuses me. When it came out the Precision Reference was a tiger -- and then suddenly it becomes a pussy cat? Will the Element series -- now as ballyhooed as the Tesla line originally was -- become transformed in a similar fashion into a shadow of its former self with the advent of a newer line?
I just realized today that there is no power conditioning or surge protection whatsoever in the SR Powercell that my entire system is plugged into. That was a bit unnerving considering the investment I have made into my system. As a result, I will be trying PS audio's p-10 on 1 of my home amplifiers this weekend. It is currently in my office system.

It is a regenerator as well as surge protector, etc. I've heard both that it limits dynamics and that it improves dynamics. I'm not an engineer, but when I see it can hold 70 amps in storage ready for instant usage, that seems better than just 15-20 amps out of the wall. I could be wrong - this weekend should tell.

If the p-10 works, I will get 2 with 1 for each amp. The amps draw 450w each, with peaks to 900w. Each p-10 will do 1250w w/peaks to 1500w, so there is enough room to plug in all my components and TV within the 20 outlets. Undecided whether to keep the Powercell - if the p-10s work as I think they will, the Powercell will belong to somebody else in the near future. If not, Plan B.
I believe VAC 450 Statement has built power conditioner so should plug direct into wall outlet. If plug into Powercell, you are choking/limiting performance of the amps.

Also once your HD Power 3s are broken in, try it on your VAC system. It's FANTASTIC on my Sig MKIIa.

I ONLY use my PCs in an audio system so my ONLY concern is SOUND. Frankly I'm never interested in company marketing hype, type of conductor, connectors ... like some Agon members.
@Fplanner2000

Just a suggestion. Instead of paying all that extra money why not just put in a whole house surge protection at your breaker box. There are a few out there that are highly regarded. You can put it for just the line to your equipment or the whole house. Check out the following.

http://ep2000.com/index.php?page=industrial
The EP-2050 is the one.

http://www.surgex.com/residential.html
The XN120 about half way down the page.
If you look under Pro and Consumer there are more.

The EP-2050 is the easiest and most cost effective. It would set you back,the last time I checked, about $700-1000 installed by an election. Otherwise about half that for DIY. The high end also includes any additional parts you might need. It is also the least intrusive.

Good luck and let us know what happens.