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
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.
I asked Kevin Hayes whether there was any power conditioning in the 450's and he said there was not. Thanks for the VAC pre suggestion - I'll probably have to try that.

Al- Thanks for the suggestions. I've recently heard that from Elliot at Synergistic as well. Not sure that meets what I am trying to do. I like the combination of surge protection and power regeneration, providing that doesn't limit dynamics. My thought is 2 p-10s. The P-10 supposedly stores up to 70 amps in reserve, so it would seem that it would handle amp dynamics much better than just plugged straight into the wall at 15-18 amps from my 20 amp lines. I'm not an engineer, but it seems like common sense. I'll have a better idea after this weekend.

Thanks again for the suggestions.
Fplanner2000, I just purchased a couple of the Audience AR2P-TO units for my dedicated lines. These units have both surge protection and provide excellent power conditioning.