Synergistic Research HD SX Grounding Cables

Synergistic Research HD SX Grounding Cables

HD SX Grounding Cables are Synergistic Research's next-generation ground cables, replacing the original HD Ground Cable design from 2015. They use hand-made AirString geometry with a single-crystal, six-nines pure silver conductor in an air dielectric, a new UEF compound and Matrix Shield, and the three-stage high-voltage conditioning process developed for the company's flagship SRX cables. HD SX cables are available in 9 connector types — Mini Male, RCA, Banana, Spade, XLR, BNC, USB, Ethernet, and Phono Ground — so you can match the correct termination to your ground block, component, turntable, or cable shield. They're designed to work with any Synergistic Research ground block, including the Ground Block, Active Ground Block SX, or Galileo SX Active Ground Block MKII. As an authorized Synergistic Research dealer in Toronto, Canada, Vinyl Sound can help you choose the right connector type and quantity for your system.

Connector Options

• Mini Male — small ground posts on compact components
• RCA — analog inputs/outputs on preamps, DACs, and other line-level components
• Banana — speaker binding posts and amplifier ground points
• Spade — turntables, phono stages, and general chassis ground posts
• XLR — balanced analog inputs/outputs on preamps and amplifiers
• BNC — digital/clock and sync connections
• USB — USB input/output ports on DACs, streamers, and computers
• Ethernet — network switches, routers, and streaming servers
• Phono Ground — dedicated ground post on turntables and phono stages

Key Features

• Hand-made AirString geometry with a single-crystal, six-nines (99.9999%) pure silver conductor
• New UEF compound and Matrix Shield for a lower noise floor
• Three-stage high-voltage conditioning process, shared with Synergistic Research's flagship SRX cables
• Available in 9 connector types to match any component or ground block
• Standard length 1.25m, extendable up to a maximum of 3m; extension cables available
• 30-day risk-free trial

PowerCell Grounding Application

Synergistic Research notes that while a PowerCell line conditioner shares EM Cell technology with its Active Ground Blocks, the PowerCell's implementation is limited to the AC portion of a system. Grounding a PowerCell to an outboard Active Ground Block — along with Atmosphere X and Galileo SX cable shields where applicable — connects everything to one central, actively filtered star ground point, which Synergistic Research recommends for all PowerCell and Active Ground Block owners.

What Can Be Grounded

• Synergistic Research Galileo UEF and Atmosphere cables
• Synergistic Research Tranquility Bases and Atmosphere products
• Turntables and phono stages, via spade or Phono Ground connector
• DACs, reel-to-reel decks, and preamplifiers, via RCA, XLR, or BNC as applicable
• USB devices, audio computers, and network gear, via USB or Ethernet connector
• Equipment racks, via a spade ground wire or alligator clip on any uncoated conductive surface
• Any active-circuit component with a spare ground connection point

Press & Reviews

Synergistic Research's grounding technology, including the HD SX Grounding Cables and Ground Block products, has been covered by several audio publications:

"You would be hard pressed to find a tweak, at this price point, that gives you better bang for your buck. If there is a better grounding solution available for audiophile systems at this price, I have not encountered it yet!"
— Malcolm Gomes, AudioStream

"The more I listened to my system with the HDG cables and Grounding Block, the more I was convinced that the addition of these products are on the critical path in assembling a truly high performance audio system."
— Stereotimes

HD SX Grounding Cables FAQ

Which connector type do I need?
It depends on the component you're grounding: Spade or Phono Ground for turntables, RCA/XLR for analog components, Banana for speaker/amp ground points, USB or Ethernet for digital/network devices, and BNC for digital/clock connections. Ask your Vinyl Sound dealer if you're unsure.

Which ground block do I need to use these with?
HD SX Grounding Cables work with any Synergistic Research ground block, from the entry-level Ground Block up through the Galileo SX Active Ground Block MKII.

Should I use one to ground my PowerCell?
Yes — Synergistic Research recommends grounding a PowerCell line conditioner to an outboard Active Ground Block using an HD SX cable, to unite your power conditioning and cable shields at a single filtered ground point.

What lengths are available?
Standard length is 1.25m, extendable in 0.5m increments up to a maximum of 3m, with separate extension cables also available.