PowerCell 8 SX
The Pulse of Pure Power
The Synergistic Research PowerCell 8 SX reimagines power conditioning by incorporating every available technology from our portfolio into a compact, ultra-performance unit. Engineered from a clean slate, it brings together an array of advanced features within a sleek, solid chassis crafted from machined aircraft aluminum and carbon fiber to control resonance; it’s form dictated by its role as one of the world’s highest-performance non-current limiting line conditioners.
The PowerCell 8 SX introduces significant advancements, including a reformulated Ultra Low-Frequency RF bias and the same power supply technology found in the latest Galileo SX PowerCell line conditioner, engineered to ensure the cleanest power delivery and the lowest possible noise floor for your audio system. With the addition of a redesigned Ground Plane Technology, the PowerCell 8 SX achieves one of the blackest backgrounds of any PowerCell to date, allowing the essence of your music to come through.
A highlight of the PowerCell 8 SX is its comprehensive redesign of our patented electromagnetic cell, which, in turn, was taken directly from our work on the upcoming flagship 20-outlet SRX power conditioner, which will retail for over $50,000 when launched. The PowerCell 8 SX gets the first major EM Cell redesign in over a decade, where the patented Electromagnetic Cell is enhanced to have twice the surface area for greater conditioning power compared to previous folded EM Cells. This upgrade is complemented by significant improvements in the internal materials and assembly processes, setting the standard for efficiency and performance.
The PowerCell 8 SX stands out as a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance, packing our latest technology into a compact form factor, and is ideal for audiophiles seeking the best possible power conditioner without compromising space or design.
PowerCell Lineup Awards
Galileo and SRX Technologies
What’s Inside
The PowerCell 8 SX exemplifies Synergistic Research’s approach of cascading innovations from flagship models down to more accessibly priced products, ensuring cutting-edge technology reaches a wider audience. It incorporates the sophisticated EM Cell power supply from the esteemed Galileo SX PowerCell, and leverages the advancements in Electromagnetic cell design from the forthcoming SRX PowerCell. This approach ensures that the PowerCell 8 SX delivers exceptional performance and value, making premium technologies available at a competitive price point.
Galileo SX Dual Frequency ULF Generator
The PowerCell 8 SX now utilizes a multi-frequency ULF Schumann Frequency Generator to complement both large and smaller-scale performances. To make accurate small and large scale soundstaging reality, we use technology first developed for our Atmosphere Acoustic Field Generators. Ultimately we perfected two new frequency combinations to perfectly complement large and small scale acoustic enviroments after first createing multiple combinations that proved unncecessary in the final stages of development. The mulit frequency bias of the intenal EM Cell is similar to what you hear when comparing our original FEQ field generator to an Atmosphere Acoustic Field Generator, which presents music on a grander scale with improved dynmaics and musicality. To optimize the Galileo PowerCell SX to your system and personal tastes, press a button to switch between Red and Purple settings selecting the option that makes music in your stereo when playing your favority recordings.
Two frequency bias, one perfect sound.
Blue Frequency: voiced for acoustic instruments, vocals, and smaller-scale performances.
Red Frequency: convincingly portrays large-scale performances and electronic music.
PowerCell Grounding
Channeling Clarity, Grounding the Noise
PowerCell Intl.
Take Your Conditioning International
Available in North American, Schuko, UK and Austrailian outlets
PowerCell 8 SX Specifications:
MSRP
$3995 110V msrp
$4295 230V msrp
with included 5ft. Foundation SX 10awg power cable
-
Wiring
- All 12 awg. Silver Matrix wiring
Connector Output US:
- 8 each Purple 2.0 UEF Outlets (Two stage Quantum Treatment)
Connector Output International (EU/AU/UK):
- 8 each Purple 2.0 UEF Schuko outlets (Two stage Quantum Treatment)
Galileo SX ULF Generator:
- The PowerCell 8 SX is equipped with Galileo SX PCB technologies. Incorporating UEF Purple Capacitors and a dramatically improved Dual Channel ULF generator. Originally designed for the flagship Galileo SX Ground Block and PowerCell models, the newly developed, 3 x more powerful, multi-setting, Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) generator allows users to select between multiple generator frequency settings. Providing the ability to adjust the characteristics of yourPowerCell 8 SX ground/power components to perfectly match your system and music style
UEF:
- Graphene treatment throughout unit
- Internal “Active” linear power supply for biasing EM Cells
- 4th generation Internal, Dual Channel, Multi-Frequency, ULF (Ultra-low frequency) Generator applied to each individual electromagnetic cell to bias AC to the Earth’s Schumann Resonance for a dramatic drop in a system’s noise floor.
- 2 each SR Power Transformers
- 5 each SR Quantum Capacitors in EM Cell power supply and ULF field generator
- High Carbon Steel/Aluminum “Ground Plane” chassis
- New EM Cell topology acts like a ‘Super Capacitor’ to increase peak current on demand allowing components to draw more current than when connected directly to the wall for added dynamic headroom
Internal Active UEF EM Horizontal Plane Cell area:
- 387 square centimeters Flat EM Cell
- 2 x Internal Active Second Gen SRX UEF EM Folded Carbon Fiber Cell area: 709.67 square centimeters total
Connector Input:
- 1 each Neutrik 32 amp PowerCon
99.995% Pure Silver Ground Strap:
- 62 square centimeters
Weight and Dimensions:
- 4.5″ x Width 12″ x Depth 6″
- 11 lbs.
Voltage and current Rating:
- Input rating US: 20amp/125v
- Input Rating International (EU/AU/UK): 16amp/250v
- US Version: Rating is limited by the US Outlet rating of 15amp/125v
- International(EU/AU/UK) Version: Rating is predicated upon the Schuko Outlet rating of 16amp/250v
Foundation SX 10 awg
AC Cable Specifications
MSRP
$699 / 5ft.
$70 per addl. foot
Details
-
Construction:
- Each SRX AC Power Cable is made from 10 seperate power cables - 4 each High Current Pure Solid Silver Strings, 2 Pure Silver Air Strings, 2 each Pure Silver Air Ribbons, 1 each Pure Copper Mesh Ground Plane, 1 each Pure Copper Active Shield.
Dimensions:
- Standard 6 and 8 ft. lengths
4 each 14 awg. 99.9999% Pure Silver High Current:
- Dielectric: PTFE Air (Sealed)
- Shielding: Active Shielding Technology
- Geometry: 2 Channel
- Listened to determine signal direction before build
2 Each Silver Air String:
- Silver Air Strings: 99.9999% pure mono crystal silver conductor
- Dielectric: PTFE Air (sealed)
- Shielding: Active Shielding Technology
- Geometry: 2 Channel
- Listened to determine signal direction before build
2 each Pure Silver Air Ribbons :
- 99.9999% pure silver conductor
- Dielectric: PTFE Air (sealed)
- Shielding: Active Shielding Technology
- Geometry: 2 Channel
- Listened to determine signal direction before build
1 each Pure Copper Ground Mesh :
- UEF Ground Plane Technology
- 36 square inches per 6 ft. length
Shielding :
- UEF Active Shielding 3rd generation,
- UEF Active EM Cell
- Swiss Made Power Supply
- SR Quantum Capacitors
- Point to Point Wiring
- Silver Solder 4%
Quantum Tunneling:
- Custom
5 Day burn in :
- 3 Step process
Voltage and current rating :
- US: 20amp/125v
- International (EU/AU/UK): 16amp/250v
Shielding :
- UEF Active Shielding 3rd generation,
2 each SR 25 UEF Folded Electro-Magnetic Cells:
- Pure Copper Foils
- UEF: Graphene treated pcb
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Shielding: Active Shielding Technology
- Housing: Carbon Fiber Cylinder
1 each SR 25 Active Shielding UEF Cell:
- Modified Swiss-made DC bias Power Supply
- UEF: Graphene treated pcb
- SR Quantum Capacitors
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Shielding: Ground Plane Technology
- Housing: Carbon Fiber Cylinder
-
2 each SR 25 UEF Ground Plane:
- Pure Copper Foils
- UEF Graphene
- Dielectric: PTFE
- Conductive Carbon Fiber Ground Sleeve
-
1 each Black SR25 UEF Active Module:
- Completes Active bias circuit
1 each Gold SR25 UEF Tuning Passive Module:
- Optional voicing for increased warmth, liquidity
1 each Silver SR25 UEF Tuning Passive Module:
- Optional voicing for maximum information and refinement.
Connectors:
- Connector Input US: 1 each Synergistic Research G08 Pure Rhodium
- Connector Input Int’l: 1 each Synergistic Research G08 Pure Rhodium Schuko
- Connector Output US: Synergistic Research G08 Pure Rhodium IEC 15 amp and 20 amp connectors
- Connector Output Int’l: Synergistic Research G08 Pure Rhodium IEC 15 amp and 20 amp connectors
Build Notes:
- 36 point-to-point hand soldered connections
- Hand laminated layers of Silver Ribbon, PTFE Film and Copper mesh
- Folded Hot and Neutral Electro-Magnetic Cells added before Power Supply
- UEF Ground Plane Sleeve added to EM Cells
- Additional UEF Ground Plane added to power supply
- SR25 UEF Treatment: UEF with Graphene added to entire cable
- 1 Termination for SR25 Active Tuning Module (Black)
- 1 Termination for SR25 UEF Passive Tuning Modules (Gold and Silver)
- Silver Solder: 4%
- Quantum Tunneling: Before the Active power supply is incorporated all connections and cabling are treated with 1,000,000 volts of electricity at specific frequencies and pulse modulations, creating a canal in the conductor material and contact points at the molecular level that lets electrons to flow more freely. This also allows the “Active Shielding” to work more efficiently yielding the maximum amount of low level information through the conductors and provides for the highest amount of realism in your music
- 5 day Burn-in: 2 step process
- 100% Hand Crafted in our California factory
Power Cable Upgrades
(5ft Foundation SX 10awg included standard)
Foundation SX XL 10awg +$399 (MSRP $1,199) - 5 ft
Atmosphere SX Alive +$795 (MSRP $1,495) - 5 ft
Atmosphere SX Excite +$1395 (MSRP $2,495) - 5 ft
Atmosphere SX Euphoria +$2195 (MSRP $3,495) - 5 ft
Galileo Discovery +$5400 (MSRP $6,995) - 5 ft
SRX +$7900 (MSRP $10,000) - 6 ft.
SRX XL +$10,700 (MSRP $13,000) - 6 ft.
(One power cable upgrade discount per purchased PowerCell 8 SX)
Compare the PowerCell Lineup
PowerCell Lineup Reviews
"So what was the "sudden change" I heard upon first firing up the rig with the new PowerCell? I replayed the same cut I had last listened to and before I could get back to the listening chair I was struck by an increase in pace, rhythm, and timing, greater transparency. By the time I hit the seat, greater macro dynamics had also become obvious. When you know a song well enough, these things quickly come to light. Extended listening over the rest of the song revealed greater resolution, inner detail, and micro-dynamics.
Rick Becker, Enjoy the Music, August 2024
"At no point did I think this wasn’t doing enough or offering me enough, especially at the price point. For larger systems, SR does offer larger conditioners with more outlets, though you could also add a second PowerCell 8 down the road if you add more sources or amps. With some of the other SR accessories, you get a nearly infinitely tunable device which for a system tinkerer is a dream come true. If you are fighting noise in your system you owe it to yourself to audition the PowerCell 8 SX to see if it is the right fit for you."
Anton Wyler, Hifi Chicken, May 2024
"Will the internal struggle to reach nirvana ever end? Probably not. As much as we like to complain about the journey, this is what provides much of the joy and interest in this hobby. The PowerCell SX has the ability to get us amazingly closer and without major upgrades to the rest of the system—closer than any other cable or power conditioner that I have heard in my listening room. The PowerCell SX clearly pushes the envelope.
Robert Youman, Positive Feedback, July 2020
"The non-current-limiting PowerCell SX is one of the rare exceptions, and for that alone, it gets into the top tier and deserves high praise."
Alan Sircom, Hifi+, November 2023
"The SR PowerCell SX and Galileo SX power cord are engineering breakthroughs that are well made, deliver on their promised performance, and have taken my system to a level I never thought possible. Ted Denney pulled out all of the stops on this iteration of the PowerCell. Although the admission price is high, the increase in overall system performance in relative terms justifies the cost. Far worthy of a StereoTimes “Most Wanted Component” award recognition… My new reference."
Mike Girardi, Stereo Times, July 2020
