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
Knghifi,
With all due respect, you are now addressing your comments to Joncourage and Mapman as well.

Mcondon,
You stated "When is Audiogon going to kill this thread? All this bad press is going to hinder SR's ability to separate fools from their money."

I think this thread has brought out a number of salient points -- and it sounds like some others agree. I think this can only be good for SR because they are a great company with some great products. IMO they need some encouragement to develop more user-friendly policies. This lively discussion may stimulate some movement in that direction.
This is the longest "have pity on me, I can't afford your product" post I've ever seen.
Onhwy61,
With all due respect, I believe you have misunderstood. This thread is about getting the best possible value for your audio dollar. I feel many high end audio companies are in the process of pricing themselves out of the ballpark for audiophiles who are in the "modest budget" category -- people like me who are not high rollers. This thread was initiated to stimulate discussion about the ramifications of various issues around this central issue. It was not initiated to elicit pity. You may be one of the very fortunate who does not have to worry about budget concerns when purchasing their equipment.
I feel sorry for myself sometimes that I can't always get what I want, then I throw the switch and end up being thankful for what I have (usually).

It happens often when I watch "House Hunters" on HGTV and realize I probably cannot afford that gorgeous beachfront property in the Caribbean. Maybe my 10 year old daughter who is that shows biggest fan will be able to someday....
I've read this post's development with a bit of bafflement. Sabai, I get your desire for the best trade-in, price structure, customer service, etc. We all want that for every product we buy, don't we? However, in the end, every business owner has to to balance his customer's wish lists against market realities and the need to make a decent profit. If they get the balance right, the customers stay happy and the business thrives. If not, the competitive nature of the market place will weed out those guilty of constant miscalculation. I think Sabai has more than amply made his points of contention clear and if sufficient numbers of other customers feel the same way, Mr. Denney would need adjust his business practices. If sufficient numbers remain happy with SR products and pricing, Sabai's just going to have to buck up and accept he's been left behind.