Synergistic Research - NEW Element Cables

In my world, there's a difference between build quality and what's precious little inside. Build quality is very important where a product has to be reliable, durable ...

In regards to what's precious little inside, this is a question where customers have to answer for themselves and NOT isolated to high end audio. Thousands for Armani suit vs < hundred at Walmart ...

Besides cost of raw material, one needs to factor labor/expertise in building a finished product. High end audio is a niche market where demand and supply are low so prices will be high. Each has to decide if the product is snake oil or worthy of the asking price.

IE: HD P3 is $750 for 2m. Copper is $1.68 per oz ... P4 is $2100 ... 3x a P3, does P4 contains 3X more raw material+labor to build and WORTHY of the retail price?

How about the Bybee speaker bullets ... thousands for spade connectors.

No right or wrong but all individual decisions. If too many decide it's snake oil, company will go out of business.

For me, highest priority is sound quality so frankly don't care what's inside, specs, marketing jargon ... BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!

02-27-13: Bacardi
@Knghifi, I don't think thats what Sabai is trying to say that if he "Admires it or not", the issue at hand which Sabai is trying to ask which I totally agree with is what are the actual contents of the Powercell 10SE,MK2,MK3,MK4,MK5,MK6,MK7??????etc.
I myself owned a Powercell 10SE and my friends asked what is inside the unit and all I could say to them is that it has an Electromagnetic cell inside for $5000.00. Everything bought nowadays has a breakdown of the inside contents. Shouldn't the Powercells?
Bacardi (Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

Rum,

When your friends ask you what's in the HD P3 and price. You tell them, copper and graphite ... $750 per 2M

How about P4, You tell them copper and graphite but 3X the price of P3.

Then what does your friends say next?

I know what my non-audiophile friends would say. BLAH! BLAH! BLAH! Just ignore them, we all have out own priorities and hobbies.

Blah,
In my world it is always noted when a maker intentionally overbuilds to hide precious little inside -- and who then overcharges for the great "build quality" illusion.

A lot of high end audio is about clever marketing that is created in order to hoodwink people. Please note the Nordost Qx4 with silver tank-like repackaging of the QRT Quantum Symphony Pro. The Pro was packaged quite modestly yet does a wonderful job -- some say better that the tank-like Qx4 that costs many times the modest pro. The build quality of the Qx4 does absolutely nothing to enhance the quality of the sound. It was built that way to create a marketing illusion -- not because the box does anything -- except sell the product.

Please note the Synergistic Research PowerCell with black tank-like packaging that, according to reports, does absolutely nothing to enhance the quality of the sound. It was built that way to create a marketing illusion -- not because the box does anything -- except sell the product. Please note that Jack Bybee did not build a big black or silver tank to hide anything inside his Stealth.

I find it interesting that you do a Google search and find photos of the inside of the Bybee Stealth but you will never find a single photo of the inside of the Qx4 or the PowerCell.

For those with deep pockets this may add up to nothing more than a big yawn. Because, if the latest version of the PowerCell does not meet expectations, or if the Qx4 does not match the Pro, then who cares. They can be sold off at a loss -- who cares -- and replaced by another expensive product. Who cares.

In my world it is always noted when a maker intentionally overbuilds to hide precious little inside -- and who then overcharges for the great "build quality" illusion.

Then don't buy it! Is somebody in your world twisting your arm? Boy, glad I don't live in a 3rd world country.

I find it interesting that you do a Google search and find photos of the inside of the Bybee Stealth but you will never find a single photo of the inside of the Qx4 or the PowerCell.

Who cares what's inside if it doesn't sound good. Do you know why you're buying the product?

IE: If Rum wants to power his toaster, he can buy a copper PC off Ebay for $5. Now why does he spend $750 for a HiDiamond copper P3 and $2100 for a copper P4 PC? If the answer is NOT for the sound, then he's wasting his $$.

I bet cost of raw material to build the one off Ebay is close to the P3 and P4 but HD is able to manufacturer a PC that sounds better. You can't judge the book by it's cover but in this case, it's the precious little insides when quality of sound should be the most important reason for a purchase.

For those with deep pockets this may add up to nothing more than a big yawn. Because, if the latest version of the PowerCell does not meet expectations, or if the Qx4 does not match the Pro, then who cares. They can be sold off at a loss -- who cares -- and replaced by another expensive product. Who cares.

Hmmm! I THINK the root of your frustrations / BLAH BLAH BLAH is your SHALLOW pockets???

After a few months with the upgraded CTS Analogue and CTS Digital power cords, I highly recommend that anyone with Tesla line Power Cables or anyone looking for something new to check out the new Synergistic Research Element Power Cables for a free in home audition. I also upgraded to the Powercell 10 SE Mk. III with tranquility base built in and new Element Copper/Tungsten Power Cord that has a 32-amp connecter. This power conditioner outperforms the previous Mk.II by a large margin. I agree with the Stereo Times review that I posted a link to above about the new Mk.III version. In addition, Synergistic Research won 2012 product of the year awards from The Absolute Sound, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Best of Show Awards and many many other positive reviews on review websites (E.g. 6moons, UltraAudio.com, Stereo Times, AudioStream.com)

I would like to hear from others that have tried or own the new Transporter that acts as a center to connect all the active shields into one spot, also how are the Tranquility Bases being used and their effects, plus anyone using the new Element and Galileo Power Cords, Element speaker and interconnect cables and any of the new digital cables. Synergistic also has a DAC called The Music Cable. Has anyone tried these products and post their reviews here.

Thanks!