Synergistic Research

[firenze]

I recently bought a PowerCell 12 SX that I am auditioning. I currently have a PS Audio P12 PowerPlant that I've enjoyed, but wondered if there could be more to my system. So far I've noticed only a very slight difference, if at all, and really only on the Red bias setting. Are there any consensus opinions on SR on this forum? It seems a lot of folks on here have good things to say about Shunyata, maybe I picked the wrong SR?

 

[Michaels HiFi]

I recently bought a PowerCell 12 SX that I am auditioning. I currently have a PS Audio P12 PowerPlant that I've enjoyed, but wondered if there could be more to my system. So far I've noticed only a very slight difference, if at all, and really only on the Red bias setting. Are there any consensus opinions on SR on this forum? It seems a lot of folks on here have good things to say about Shunyata, maybe I picked the wrong SR?

I think you'll find SR is a bit of a hot topic in hifi audio for lots of reasons. People tend to be very polarized in their opinion of them. I a neutral towards them so they don't bother me.

After having tried many of the power items over years I fell in love with the Signal Projects over any other.

Regardless of what you decide, most will agree it will be a step up from anything PS Audio makes.

 

[2FarGone]

I recently bought a PowerCell 12 SX that I am auditioning. I currently have a PS Audio P12 PowerPlant that I've enjoyed, but wondered if there could be more to my system. So far I've noticed only a very slight difference, if at all, and really only on the Red bias setting. Are there any consensus opinions on SR on this forum? It seems a lot of folks on here have good things to say about Shunyata, maybe I picked the wrong SR?

Without knowing what the rest of your system is comprised of, it’s hard to make any kind of suggestion that might be price proportionate.

As @Michaels HiFi observed, SR can be polarizing for whatever reason. I run nearly all SR cables of one type or another, but I have nothing to say on their power conditioners. In my experience, though, their PCs have sometimes created very noticeable improvements in the sonic presentation of the system. It seems variable to the piece of equipment they’re used on, and I also suspect that the efficacy of products of this type varies widely depending on how dirty your power is to begin with, and how revealing your system is.

 

[Shadowfax]

I only have experience with some really old SR cables. Pretty much the ones that Ted hand made when he was starting out. The Kaleidoscope Range. I had a pair of speaker cables but ended up selling them because they sounded too thin and lacked bass. I was more happy with a pair of Tara Labs Prism Bi-Wire cables so swapped them out. I do still have 2 pairs of the Kaleidoscope II ICs which are pretty neutral. From reading about Ted's newer "Voodoo" products, the reviews are mixed.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

I only have experience with some really old SR cables. Pretty much the ones that Ted hand made when he was starting out. The Kaleidoscope Range. I had a pair of speaker cables but ended up selling them because they sounded too thin and lacked bass. I was more happy with a pair of Tara Labs Prism Bi-Wire cables so swapped them out. I do still have 2 pairs of the Kaleidoscope II ICs which are pretty neutral. From reading about Ted's newer "Voodoo" products, the reviews are mixed.

I do think though he offers a money back guarantee on his products as some other brands do as well. Am I correct on that? It's great when people have that option.

I've never heard his stuff in my system and I don't have a desire to not because of any bias against him, I just really like what I have now after years of searching.

 

[2FarGone]

I do think though he offers a money back guarantee on his products as some other brands do as well. Am I correct on that? It's great when people have that option.

I've never heard his stuff in my system and I don't have a desire to not because of any bias against him, I just really like what I have now after years of searching.

That’s pretty much where I’m at. At my system’s best, I had SR Tesla Precision Reference ICs and biwire speaker cables, along with a couple of Master Coupler X Series PCs and a Titan T3 PC. I found the effects of each to be cumulative, each contributing to an overall sense of holographic realism that I had never heard before.

It all adds up, if you think about it (pun intended). Once I had the first set of Tesla ICs and the speaker cables in place, the second set of Tesla ICs had a big impact because it was the last piece of the puzzle (Tesla PR all through the signal path) but I was still listening to the PCs. Adding those really brought everything into focus. That whole process made me realize that I had to treat the wiring loom as a component in its own right.

I would never make the claim that the particular SR loom I ended up with is the only way to achieve that sense of realism, however, since it was pure chance that happened to be the way it worked out for me. I suspect there’s a lot to be said for consistency from a single manufacturer, although what other manufacturers’ products might offer that kind of a sense of realism I have no idea, having no experience with their offerings.

 

[firenze]

I think you'll find SR is a bit of a hot topic in hifi audio for lots of reasons. People tend to be very polarized in their opinion of them. I a neutral towards them so they don't bother me.

After having tried many of the power items over years I fell in love with the Signal Projects over any other.

Regardless of what you decide, most will agree it will be a step up from anything PS Audio makes.

I've seen a lot of threads here about PS Audio. Why is this the case?

Without knowing what the rest of your system is comprised of, it’s hard to make any kind of suggestion that might be price proportionate.

As @Michaels HiFi observed, SR can be polarizing for whatever reason. I run nearly all SR cables of one type or another, but I have nothing to say on their power conditioners. In my experience, though, their PCs have sometimes created very noticeable improvements in the sonic presentation of the system. It seems variable to the piece of equipment they’re used on, and I also suspect that the efficacy of products of this type varies widely depending on how dirty your power is to begin with, and how revealing your system is.

That is fair. I added the equipment to my signature. I'll keep swapping (as much as a pain it is to do) between the P12 and PowerCell to see if I land anywhere.

 

[GSOphile]

I tried a loaner SG Atmosphere interconnect a few years ago. Good sound but the grounding and 'tuning fork' attachments (i.e., a rudimentary tone control) are brand features I don't want to deal with in conjunction with my cables. I thought SG a tad pricey and was wary of committing to such a system going forward. I've tried a number of cable brands since and have become a big fan of Shunyata, especially their power cables and distributors. They deliver value and performance at multiple price levels.

 

[Mr Peabody]

I have had good luck with PS Audio, not sure what the jab was about.

I've never personally used SR. Ted is at the shows and demonstrates his products. Many line up to buy after.

The important thing is you tried the product and don't think it was much of an improvement. Trust yourself and return it. One product is not necessarily a reflection on the entire brand.

My impression the products are designed to have a cumulative effect. You might do more research to see if something in conjunction would improve performance.

Ted tends to rub folks the wrong way sometimes. SR offers the "high end" fuses which is a lightning rod for debate. He still makes them and people still buy them that's all I can say. Combine making folks mad with anti cable attitude, power products etc. you can see why the PR problem. Ted says the company is having some of the best sales ever though.

 

[crwilli]

I have sat through a SR demonstration at the Florida Audio Expo. Ted is a showman and apparently, a great marketer.

I walked away thinking he could sell refrigerators to Eskimos.

 

[2FarGone]

I have sat through a SR demonstration at the Florida Audio Expo. Ted is a showman and apparently, a great marketer.

I walked away thinking he could sell refrigerators to Eskimos.

Or shoes to snakes. That may well be. I have no direct experience with the man - only some with the company.

I’d like to try a Shunyata loom, and the Signal stuff as well. Won’t happen in this lifetime, I fear.

 

[firenze]

The important thing is you tried the product and don't think it was much of an improvement. Trust yourself and return it. One product is not necessarily a reflection on the entire brand.

I will give it another week or so, but I think think is the reassurance I needed. Sometimes I feel "bad" for returning audio gear that I didn't find made a difference, but why should I? This is the whole point of the marketing for home auditioning.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

I will give it another week or so, but I think think is the reassurance I needed. Sometimes I feel "bad" for returning audio gear that I didn't find made a difference, but why should I? This is the whole point of the marketing for home auditioning.

Mr. Peabody is right - always trust your own ear. Only you know what is best for you.

 

[Dizzie]

A friend and I tried SR interconnects with the "magic bullets" and could not hear any difference when we swapped the bullets. Maybe it was power cords.

I met Ted at my friend's home. I complained to him that the SR expensive AC receptacles in my power conditioner would not hold a power cord. He said they were the old version and the new ones were much better. He told me how to tell the difference on the rear of the receptacles.

My thoughts were whey did he hype and sell receptacles that he knew failed the most important test? I replaced them with flagship Furutech and the physical and sonic performance was greatly improved. Furutech receptacles really hold a cable.

I examined the SRs I took out. They were the new (allegedly) improved receptacles. I have avoided all SR products since then.

I use Shunyata exclusively for power and chassis grounding.

 

[GSOphile]

Or shoes to snakes. That may well be. I have no direct experience with the man - only some with the company.

I’d like to try a Shunyata loom, and the Signal stuff as well. Won’t happen in this lifetime, I fear.

You don't have to try (buy?) a whole loom to get a good idea. The Cable Company's lending program is your friend for many brands.