SYNERGY SYN-20IR: Overview and 26 Module Playthrough

[LP Freak]

IMO the weakness in the Synergy heads are their transformers. I expected the 20w to sound small, and it's actually pretty good for what it is. I've A/Bed it to the 50w and they are quite comparable. This is not a good thing.

I've also A/Bed the 50w head to many other heads and power amps, and it always comes in last place. Granted it sounds good, but never as good as anything else I've put it up against. I'm sure Synergy is hitting a price point, not dogging on them. Seems to me like they could release a "prestige" 100W with legit iron, limit production initially, and see how it goes. And yes, an updated 50W is in order as well!

Hmmm…I have the 50w and kind of confused on your statement that it comes up short compared to others. Can you explain further?

 

[romanianreaper]

IMO the weakness in the Synergy heads are their transformers. I expected the 20w to sound small, and it's actually pretty good for what it is. I've A/Bed it to the 50w and they are quite comparable. This is not a good thing.

I've also A/Bed the 50w head to many other heads and power amps, and it always comes in last place. Granted it sounds good, but never as good as anything else I've put it up against. I'm sure Synergy is hitting a price point, not dogging on them. Seems to me like they could release a "prestige" 100W with legit iron, limit production initially, and see how it goes. And yes, an updated 50W is in order as well!

That is good for 20IR owners but like you said, weird it is comparable to the 50 watt.

 

[marl3y]

IMO the weakness in the Synergy heads are their transformers. I expected the 20w to sound small, and it's actually pretty good for what it is. I've A/Bed it to the 50w and they are quite comparable. This is not a good thing.

I've also A/Bed the 50w head to many other heads and power amps, and it always comes in last place. Granted it sounds good, but never as good as anything else I've put it up against. I'm sure Synergy is hitting a price point, not dogging on them. Seems to me like they could release a "prestige" 100W with legit iron, limit production initially, and see how it goes. And yes, an updated 50W is in order as well!

Yeah, go back and forth on getting the 20IR. I have a Syn50, (couple) RM100, and (couple) MOD50 heads. IMO the MOD50 is the top of the heap. Particularly if you add the cathode switch and rework the NFB ala Foglifter. Yeah, it's never gone have the IR capability, but using a cabinet has never been a drag for me.

 

[Meeotch]

Hmmm…I have the 50w and kind of confused on your statement that it comes up short compared to others. Can you explain further?

It just sounded a bit wimpy and smaller compared to Syn-1 into fx return of any other head I put it up against, or into other power amps. Always a challenge describing the way something sounds or even feels, but lacking authority is a good way to put it.

The Syn-20 can totally hang with it up to about 90db, and up to that point I'd choose the 20 for it's extra features and smaller footprint. For band volumes I'd avoid both and go 2902 or comparable.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

It just sounded a bit wimpy and smaller compared to Syn-1 into fx return of any other head I put it up against, or into other power amps. Always a challenge describing the way something sounds or even feels, but lacking authority is a good way to put it.

The Syn-20 can totally hang with it up to about 90db, and up to that point I'd choose the 20 for it's extra features and smaller footprint. For band volumes I'd avoid both and go 2902 or comparable.

Your sentiments here is it keeps me from getting the SYN – 20 IR. Already got some pretty great amps, but always like to try new things in the feature said of the 20 IR is great. … I had two EL84 amps in the past and it never quite did it for me.

However, I did play the Astro 20 with two 6v6’s sixes and that app was very thick and full and plenty loud for jammin with a band on a small stage

 

[CarlF]

Well, I need a Hiwatt module

 

[Meeotch]

Your sentiments here is it keeps me from getting the SYN – 20 IR. Already got some pretty great amps, but always like to try new things in the feature said of the 20 IR is great. … I had two EL84 amps in the past and it never quite did it for me.

However, I did play the Astro 20 with two 6v6’s sixes and that app was very thick and full and plenty loud for jammin with a band on a small stage

Yeah, it kind of depends on what your used to. IMO the Syn20-IR is impressive for a lunchbox amp with EL84's, and the Syn50 is underwhelming for a full size head with 6L6's...so they end up being pretty comparable for home use or medium jam volumes. The big bottles do eventually pull ahead as you would expect, but at that point there are just better options.

 

[LP Freak]

Yeah, it kind of depends on what your used to. IMO the Syn20-IR is impressive for a lunchbox amp with EL84's, and the Syn50 is underwhelming for a full size head with 6L6's...so they end up being pretty comparable for home use or medium jam volumes. The big bottles do eventually pull ahead as you would expect, but at that point there are just better options.

I don’t get where you’re coming from about the 50 being underwhelming. I’ve got it sitting right next to 100W Friedman and a 50W Bogner and it easily holds its own. Must’ve been something wrong with that amp.

 

[romanianreaper]

I've owned a bunch of tube amps over the years, Single and Dual Rectifiers, Marshalls, Peavey, 5150, Splawn, Friedman, ENGL, etc. I think the 20IR is pretty impressive for what it is.

It doesn't feel as big as the 50 or 100 watt amps obviously but to me, doesn't feel or sound as "Stringy" as other el84 amps I've owned.

 

[Tone Ranger]

My band recorded a single with the Producer's Synergy modules. Cleans and midgains with the JMP. Rhythms with the Soldano, Leads with Friedman BE. They werent saturated enough for my style without a boost. He was adamant that we use them. I had my AxeFx right there. Said, these sound every bit as good. My remix says different

 

[romanianreaper]

My band recorded a single with the Producer's Synergy modules. Cleans and midgains with the JMP. Rhythms with the Soldano, Leads with Friedman BE. They werent saturated enough for my style without a boost. He was adamant that we use them. I had my AxeFx right there. Said, these sound every bit as good. My remix says different

I definitely like a boost with the Synergy, just like I would with any amp. It is crazy with recordings, he wasn't cool with using the Fractal.

 

[Tone Ranger]

I definitely like a boost with the Synergy, just like I would with any amp. It is crazy with recordings, he wasn't cool with using the Fractal.

we were pressed for time. snowstorm backed their schedule up. I got all the stem files back. the slo was a fizzy mess. had nice mids to it though. BUT, i told him i could send him DIs and files from my fractal to add to the mix. He smarted off saying, we already spent too much time on your tracks. Its fine as it is. He sent the final mix back. Of course the guys loved it being so loud of a mix. (-7LUF) I told them it was a hot mix, then a few hours later got the master track -4 luf. Brickwalled.

 

[Meeotch]

I don’t get where you’re coming from about the 50 being underwhelming. I’ve got it sitting right next to 100W Friedman and a 50W Bogner and it easily holds its own. Must’ve been something wrong with that amp.

I've owned the 50 twice and my conclusions are the same. Glad you are liking it. I'm super happy running my Syn2 into a 2902 or any of my other tube amps.