Synergistic Research Comes Down to Earth


I just read some of the RMAF reviews. Since I live overseas I don't get to shows and am envious of those who have the opportunity to do so. I noticed a big difference in the Synergistic Research room this year versus last year.

In 2011 Synergistic Research chalked up a grand total of nearly $150,000 for their system with about $40,000 of that dedicated to their own equipment and cables. It must have been a pretty impressive sound. This year their room chalked up only about $25,000 with about $13,000 dedicated to their own equipment and cables.

Synergistic Research has really come down to Earth. I wonder how the 2012 system sounded compared to the 2011 system. One thing that I am pondering is the $1,500 Nola speaker in a $25,000 system. The Nola is supposed to be an impressive speaker but I wonder about the sonic attributes of a $1,500 in a $25,000 system. Can anyone report on the Synergistic Research room and the Nolas?
sabai
@Bacardi, Synergistic has just released an entirely new line of power cables. Has anyone here heard the new Synergistic Research Element Hologram A and D and also the Element Copper, Element Tungsten and Element Copper/Tungsten power cords? And yes, these are replacing the older Tesla line of power cables. More importantly has anyone COMPARED these to HiDiamond? Cost set a side... I'm placing an order for the New Element CTS A (Hologram A) and Element CTS D (Hologram D) power cords to replace my old Tesla line power cables. I'm also getting the new Element Copper/Tungsten 32-amp power cord for my Powercell 10 SE Mk.III. This new power cords beats the Precision AC SE 32-amp in everyway. It really opens up the Powercell 10 SE the way you guys been hearing that conditioner is holding your system back. These new cables use an active shielded AIR dielectric in a power cord. I never seen an air dielectric used in a power cable before. So this should be interesting. I'll let you know when I get the new cords and let you know how they sound.
Joeyboynj,
I have not tried the new Element series so I cannot comment. But I can comment on your statement, "It really opens up the Powercell 10 SE the way you guys been hearing that conditioner is holding your system back." I can comment here because I own the Powercell. The fact that the new cord opens up the Powercell is an admission that the Powercell holds back the system, which is what I have recently discovered in my system. If you recognize that the new cord opens it up I must assume that SR recognizes this, too. Which means they realize that the Powercell holds back the system -- despite the assertions on their site written before the introduction of the new cord.
@Sabai, your comment makes 100% sense. I will later take everything out of the Powercell and reconnect the cords to a power strip and see how that sounds...
Bacardi,
I'd be interested in hearing the results when you take out the PowerCell. There was absolutely no doubt that the sound opened up -- in my system. The Powercell was choking it off. I connect everything to my Bybee Stealth now and the system hums. But I will be experimenting with removing the Bybee -- eventually, when I get a power strip -- just to hear what the system sounds like without it.
I must say with all due respect to both Sabai and others who have said that the Powercell "held back" their system I have found the opposite. I have very good equipment both now and over the years. I have also heard several highly respected Power Conditioners and The Powercell MK II SE is the ONLY one that not only OPENED my system but did no harm in the $5,000 and under range. Anything much higher and I want to choke. I own the MK II SE. I am not saying you are not hearing what you hear. However I know Sabai has stated he has tried tweaking so is it possible anything you have done caused a change in the Powercell over time. I do not just mean a permanent change but a temporary change in the sound induced by some sort of change in the Cell. If left off and disconnected from the wall for a few days and put back in your system do you still hear the same. Or maybe it is permanent.
I agree that most Cable Companies and Power Conditioning Companies are WAY over priced. But at least Synergistic includes a great power cord with the Powercell. EVERYONE else wants you to buy one of theirs so now you can add $2,000-$3,000. And if they include one it is not the best. Now I am talking about what has been. I do not know what Synergistic is doing with the introduction of the new cabling yet.