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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
analogbrother
6 posts
 
ted - awesome!
love the breadvan, got so much character that the new ones don't have. it's a modern classic. dinan are good tuners.
996gt3's are good value over there at the moment. they are still a bit too expensive here (aus); hifi is my main hobby.....

back on topic - i think your products are great! i bought my first ones on a visit to ny in 1998, they still sound great in my sytem and have been slowly adding to them since.
keep up the great work!

james
dover
2,193 posts
 
Sabai -

SR 70% trade in deal :

The Lifetime Upgrade Passport Program works as follows:

You receive up to 70% back on the retail value of your original SR purchase regardless of the price you paid. This applies to any Synergistic Research product, even if it is 20 years old. There are only 2 requirements to initiate the program.

1. You are the original owner, (the product was purchased from an Authorized SR dealer). A receipt may be required.

2. You are upgrading to a Synergistic Research product or products whose value is twice the price of the original purchase to receive the full 70 % rebate.

Example:

If you purchased an X Series Resolution Reference interconnect in 2001 which retailed for $1000 and you want to use your Passport to purchase a new pair of Element Copper Interconnects ($1200 120 volt US version) and and a Tranquility basik ($950 US 120 volt version), you’ll get 70% or $700 credit toward your purchase. Any combination of new products can be used to reach your two times qualifier so you can take advantage of all our new technologies."

This is actually quite generous. If you assume dealers mark up of 50% then the dealer in the above example makes $300 on a $2000 sale. No business can operate on $15% margin. Yes, they can onsell your tradein, but the reality is this then represents a lost sale of another new product at 50% margin, notwithstanding they may have to dump your tradein at a loss. I dont think many products get more than 50% of new price on 2nd hand market and yet you are offered 70% irrespective of what you paid.

I do not own any SR product but stand by my comments, your arguments are bollocks.
sabai OP
2,027 posts
 
Dover,
Since you have to purchase a product for twice the price I do not call this a "deal". With all due respect -- which is unfortunately not always reciprocated on the forums, alas -- you have the right to your opinions. I have the right to mine. I stand by my comments.
theaudiotweak
2,778 posts
 

How or why would someone think or bother to apply for a patent on work that was displayed by Franck T Chang in 2004 "The Original Acoustic Resonator". I suppose a U.S. Patent office agent doesn't have access to the world wide web. I would like to see info as to why one is unique from the other. Tom
facten
2,772 posts
 
Not sure what the point of all of this is. SR has the right to operate its business model as it sees fit and protect its intellectual property whether or not you think all of their products are great or not. Likewise , you have the right to make the choice of buying its products or not, upgrading within SR's line or not. If you don't like SRs business model then switch to a brand that better suits what you are after versus agonizing over the fact that how they operate doesn't suit you. A company like Apple must really give you heartburn!
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