Versatility

Thinness in the Body of the music.

The strength of the Synergistic is it's versatility. It is a good power cord for a transport or a preamp. It simply doesn't conduct enough current to be good for an amp. The JBS Labs "POWER" cord is much better for amp usage.

Or make a DIY power cord out of 2 - 20 amp extension cords (purchased at your local building supply -- Home Depot, Lowes, etc... These should be 10 gauge by 3 conductors "10x3"). Splice in 2 conductors of 1 extension cord into the positive of the IEC end from a stock 14x3 or 12x3 power cord; splice in 2 conductors of the other extension cords into the negative of the IEC end; and splice in the ground from both extension cords into the groung on the IEC. Twist the extension cords around each other like a "BIG Twisted Pair" that you would find in telephone wire or PC wire.

Perform the same splices into the other "male" end (taken from one of the extension cords).

The resulting power cord will have in the body of the power cord: 2-10 gauge positive conductors (from one extenstion cord), 2-10 gauge negative conductors (from one extenstion cord), and 2-10 gauge grounds (one from each extenstion cord).

This DIY power cords is at least 2 times the power cord that the Synergystic is, and 50% better than the JBS labs, and cost less than $50 to make!

So if you can make a power cord for under $50 that is twice as good, what kind of value is the Synergystic? If you have decent house power, this DIY power cord is excellent for transports and preamps too. The Synergistic has good sheilding, better than this DIY; so if you have a lot of radio interference the Synergistic might be better for the front end of your system.

Similar Products Used:

Harmonic Tech, JBS Labs, PS Audio, and DIY.

Big (relative to stock cord) Stiff

Im not big on spending money for no good reason. It's especially tough to replace stuff on new and expensive gear that already has power cords. But this baby makes the kind of improvement that you can hear thru your ears, and will put a smile on your face. Put it on my source, but definitely gonna get another one for the amps! Dont you think it kinda rare (up till my review at least)that everybody here has given five stars? That must tell you something. Usually there's at least one fruitcake buggering up the rating avg with a crummy score, regardless of how good the thing is.

More definition, clarity,& bass extension etc.etc. etc.

Cost

The most important of any other cable product; these AC couplers improved EVERYTHING! HARD TO BELIEVE, AND HARDER TO PAY FOR. Take whatever you've benefited from interconnects & speaker cables and double it. The thing that made me hesitate most before auditioning these was the idea of spending $275 for a power cord. I finally rationalized that they allow the components ( amp & preamp in my case) to give their all; 100% of their capabilities. If they don't function at 100%, the sound will suffer.

After auditioning these with my system, I went back and checked the "associated equipment" lists for Stereophile's audio reviews; they all use some sort of upgraded AC couplers
which made me wonder how the products would have done with stock cables. These must be looked at as components, not minor tweaks. Astounding the benefits!!

Acurus Preamp
Acurus A-200 amp
NAD 515 CD
Monster 2.4 bi-wires
MIT Term.2 interconnects
Mirage OM-6 speakers

Similar Products Used:

Stock cables

I think often times when one spends a considerable amount on a component, cable, etc. their original thoughts are sublimated by what they want to hear or what they have been told they will hear. Maybe it's all of those Synergistic Research ads haunting the pages of Stereophile or all of the other people who spent $250 on a power cord. I don't want to be the bane of all the good praise this product has seemed to recieve, because I, too, heard a difference when I put this into my set up, but, no, it did not bring my system to an entirely new level, as one review noted, and it did not have me running out to buy another one. I would have much rather bought $200 worth of records. It's time that listeners start to question what it is they are listening for, and re-examine the subtleties they are paying for.

Articulation, stereo imaging

Hard to handle

I'm new to power cords, but let me tell you, the first time I hooked the A/C master coupler to my b&k receiver I noticed an immediate improvement. The stereo image sharpened, there was greater articulation of instruments and vocals. It basically took a great receiver and extended it's capabilities to the next level. As I've continued to break-in the unit, the improvement has ever continued. I'm convinced of the improvement that power cords can offer.

Having submitted a great rating for syn research, I'll vote an even higher rating for sonic horizon power cords. Check them out at hcmaudio.com. They are handmade like syn research. But, they are sold by a small company that operates with much less overhead, so they sell them cheaper. They sell a cord called "daybreak" that performs well at about $90. But the "hurricane" model BEATS the ac master coupler. It has a more smooth, musical sound. It costs $190, which is cheaper than the syn research master coupler. They also carry a 30-day trial period.

hcmaudio also sells other handmade cables. I've been experimenting with them. They all have great musical qualities. I think their best value is in the power cords, though.

Similar Products Used:

Sonic Horizon Daybreak, Hurricane power cords

they just let the music through

a bit stiff but none when it comes to the music

the strongest comment i can make is to try them. they are on
my cal icon and krell krc-3 preamp. this not a subtle thing
they will make you stand up and notice. there is just more
there "there". all those cliches about seeing "into the music" are no longer cliches. hearing is believing. almost
all dealers will let you borrow them if not find a new dealer.remember its about the music and these cords let you
hear MORE MORE.

Similar Products Used:

harmonic tech.

Build quality, can hear the difference immediately when swapping out with stock power cord

Price, price, price if bought new

Plugged the master coupler into my front end - a Theta Miles cd player - and immediately heard the difference. The coupler removes and filters out the murky haze that is prevalent in an audio system. This haze is tolerable with a stock cord until you use the coupler. The coupler sharpens the music and enhances the detail in a way that is pleasing to the ear. Is it necessary, that is up to you...but, I will never be without one in my cd player again. If debating about buying one, demo it or buy one used off audiogon for about $150.00. At this price you will be kicking yourself that you did not have one earlier.

Similar Products Used:

none

Tighter Bass, More Detail, Did I mention tighter bass and more detail

Not Cheap. But that goes away the second you listen. I feel like I have a new system

WOW!WOW!WOW!
I always felt something was missing from my system now I know I was right. I bought today along with the Alpha Sterling(Discrete Shielding)Connector. Wow! I know I should have done one at a time but did not. I was told by Dave at the Sound Exchange in Somerville NJ that it would take 100-200 hrs to break in. Well if that's the case then I am a lucky man as the results immediatly are incredable. Thanks Dave. Get these!Do not ask why! Yes I do know that they are justs cords and connects but it is stark. I agree with the other gent who said you need to consider it like a new component.
AC coupler to my Jolida 202A
Sony ES80 cd player
Paradigm studio 20 speakers
Wow

Similar Products Used:

Basic

Bass,depth,holographic imaging, relaxes the music

Another $275 into the never ending sonic vapor

Well, I'm out another 3 bills. "But I promise,I'm done now".
The Cable Co.sent me this "on loan" from there "library". UUUUUGGGGGG!!!!!! They knew I would not send this thing back.
Kidding aside the Cable Co. has been great. They sure know there stuff. The greatest thing this power cord does is
make/help the music sound full,complete, and RELAXED while at the same time increasing detail and excitment. If you don't think power cords can make a differnce your funny.
Put this thing in whatever you have and then without it your
stereo sounds broken.REALLY. My girlfriend ,when forced to once again listen to A then B was eaisily able to tell the stock from the Synrgistic A/C. She said the stock cord sounded flat. Indeed.FLAT!!!!!!! DON'T WANNA BE FLAT!! MY STUFF: Meridian 508-24 (this really needs the cord)
conrad johnson pv12/prem 11
Basis 2001 TT with benz glider Lehman cube
xlo cable Spendor SP 100 speakers

Similar Products Used:

xlo stock esp

Removed the last remaining shackles from my system!

Stiffness.

Sonic nirvana! Just bought 2 of these from avconnect.com at $219.99 each, and plugged them into my Lexicon DC-1 (v.4) pre/pro and ADA PTM-6150 amplifier. I ran current through them for 2 days and then started up. What everyone says is absolutely true! The music is now surrounded by complete, utter silence. Dynamics increased, transients are extremely sharp (accurate, but certainly not harsh or bright). Every disc sounds like a live performance with the increased soundstage and 3-d instrument placement. How in the world can this be done with just power cords? Absolutely amazing, unconditionally recommended, at any price!

Similar Products Used:

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