Synergy Amps, Are They Worth It?

[Shask]

What's the best option if I already have a huge tube poweramp to run these through? syn-1? I thought I saw some cool rack gizmos once where there were like 4 modules in a 2x2 grid?

Syn-2 makes the most sense if you have a rack.

 

[Shask]

Perfect comparison of why I don't want that SYN-20. This module is way too tight in that thing and sounded like a thin solid state amp. Sounded way better with the 5050, which is basically everyone's least favorite power amp to put these through, so I imagine it's even better through the head or a bigger rack amp that actually has some serious iron. This is definitely one module I'd consider coming back to Synergy for just to try our. Curious how it stacks up against the Uberschall, which is fantastic.

It sounds OK with the 20, but then when he switches to the syn5050, you hear the true sound, and the 20 just sounds middy and small.

This kind of makes me want the syn5050 also.

 

[MatrixClaw]

What's the best option if I already have a huge tube poweramp to run these through? syn-1? I thought I saw some cool rack gizmos once where there were like 4 modules in a 2x2 grid?

SYN-2 can run R/L outputs to a stereo power amp, but not both modules, which is disappointing. They should do that.

 

[MetalMayhem]

SYN-2 can run R/L outputs to a stereo power amp, but not both modules, which is disappointing. They should do that.

I'm not an expert in this, but would that cause phase issues? It's a cool idea though

 

[Shask]

I'm not an expert in this, but would that cause phase issues? It's a cool idea though

Yeah, if the modules had a different amount of tube stages they could be out of phase with each other.

I never thought it was a big deal. I have never found much use in 2 amps, or 2 amp models, or whatever in parallel. I just think of it as a 5 channel preamp. I find more use in multiple cabinets connected at once.

 

[MatrixClaw]

Yeah, if the modules had a different amount of tube stages they could be out of phase with each other.

I never thought it was a big deal. I have never found much use in 2 amps, or 2 amp models, or whatever in parallel. I just think of it as a 5 channel preamp. I find more use in multiple cabinets connected at once.

Agree with this. I don't really care about stereo amps either, but if you're going to run a rack setup with a rack power amp, it's probably a stereo power amp, so you might as well use two different amps if you can.

 

[Shask]

Agree with this. I don't really care about stereo amps either, but if you're going to run a rack setup with a rack power amp, it's probably a stereo power amp, so you might as well use two different amps if you can.

Both of my rigs run in stereo, but I use a single amp or preamp into stereo effects, then into into stereo poweramps. I do run into 2 different cabs though, so the bigness comes from the differences in speakers/cabs. That and stereo effects.

 

[MetalMayhem]

Some thoughts, just powered on my Syn 50. As I'm rearranging my studio right now to get my rack in I haven't had time to check it out.

There's things I like about it for sure, but I'm still preferring my Mod 50 over it, however I know some of the modules don't feel as intended, due to having to use position one of the cathode switching thing on it.

The power amp is very stiff, I'd read reports of that but it's far stiffer than I was expecting, the Mod 50 has some bounce to it that I'm used to, I guess it's to make the differences between all the modules more apparent, which it does.

However, they do feel real inside the head, like it feels like it would as opposed to being two separate things in one box.

Overall with the units I think Syn 1/2 with a power amp is the way to go. Depending on the power amp you use but the syn 50 is a good option if you can't be bothered to source a power amp and put a rack together.

Just a source of note too, I can't make the BE module sound good, anyone got any tips for that one?

 

[op1e]

What's the best option if I already have a huge tube poweramp to run these through? syn-1? I thought I saw some cool rack gizmos once where there were like 4 modules in a 2x2 grid?

That would be the old Randall/Egnater M4 rack units. The Egnater does dual channel but is expensive used. Randall one has to be modded for dual channel but its possible. Used to be able to pick these up and the realted power amp for 4-600 used but everythings skyrocketed up in price.

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

 

[Shask]

I knew immediately which one was which. The Uber always has that low mid thing going on the Killer Kali dont have.

 

[Sirus13]

I've tried out most of the modules and I gotta say I just don't vibe very well with them. They sound great on their own regard, but if you compare a module to the original, there's always something kind of weird about the high end. Like it sounds like it loses a lot of high end fidelity. Idk, maybe it's just me.

 

[Shask]

I've tried out most of the modules and I gotta say I just don't vibe very well with them. They sound great on their own regard, but if you compare a module to the original, there's always something kind of weird about the high end. Like it sounds like it loses a lot of high end fidelity. Idk, maybe it's just me.

Depends heavily what poweramp you are using with them.

 

[MatrixClaw]

I knew immediately which one was which. The Uber always has that low mid thing going on the Killer Kali dont have.

Same. Instantly recognizable which was which. I do wonder how the Blue channel would stack up with the KK though, that channel is more upper mid focused. I actually liked that channel more than the Red, which is probably why I liked the Uber module better than the actual amp.

 

[thrashcomics]

Man oh man.

I got a Syn-1 and the Killer Kali on Monday. As of this afternoon I have a Syn-2 and the IICP on the way. Playing into an old VHT 2/50/2.

I am fully on board.

 

[Shask]

Same. Instantly recognizable which was which. I do wonder how the Blue channel would stack up with the KK though, that channel is more upper mid focused. I actually liked that channel more than the Red, which is probably why I liked the Uber module better than the actual amp.

Yeah the blue on the Uber is a good high gain Marshall type sound. It was what I used for that sound before I bought more Marshall based modules.

 

[mr_rbg]

do you think they will ever make Syn-1 with IR loader? Or it will clash to much with X88-IR and Friedman IR preamps?

 

[narad]

Just noticed Josh was originally recording with the Randall MTS on Conclusion of an Age. Not sure what module it is, but ...interesting...

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Just noticed Josh was originally recording with the Randall MTS on Conclusion of an Age. Not sure what module it is, but ...interesting...

Ultra XL module, I believe that's their highest gain module on par with like a 5150

 

[Shask]

do you think they will ever make Syn-1 with IR loader? Or it will clash to much with X88-IR and Friedman IR preamps?

They might, but then again, it isn't hard to plug a Syn1 into an IR loader pedal.