aside":3a9arjcd said:
I have a Syn1 and about 10 modules (including 3rd party modded ones). They do sound good, and are all tube. But unless you possess god-like self control those modules will multiply likes rabbits... and very soon you've spent a few grand more than you'd ever planned to.
The Dirty Shirley is also worth considering if you like thicker, darker Marshall tones. I didn't like the other Friedman ones.
I'm surprised they don't have a 4-module chassis or head like the old Randall ones, would be a lot more fun and convenient than slotting the modules in and out.
I don't doubt they sound good, but especially the hi gain ones...not all tube.
I don't say that lightheartedly OR to take something away from it but it is like so.
Think about it.
Excluding one 12ax7 "preamp" tube in normal amps that is usually reserved for the phase inverter (integral for the power amp), usually most hi gain preamps have 3-4 preamp tubes. Rectifier, or should I say soldano?! Maybe friedman? Diezel etc...5150. Fryette/VHT.
How can you materialize the same circuit with less tubes? You can't. Before you say that hey, if it doesn't need the clean channel then it omits that, it can't because usually the distortion uses the clean channel path and builds on to it, or part of it.
So you are left with two solutions. Either you emulate/build and tune preamps modules that are more vintage, so they use up to two preamp tubes and tune them by ear for the power amp of the synergy stuff (the randall mentioned was not vanilla, rather JCM 800 based. I think dave friedman said so or that they chose that as the base. It is the base for a lot of known amps anyway...) or, you use mosfet stages to pretty much simulate the cathode follower tube that usually drives the tonestack for example.
Bear in mind, the evh lbx III uses the same technique to save a tube. Other preamps may do as well.
It's cool but it is not all tube. And if it overdrives (the one on the lb x) it clips hard and not so musical. Which for hi gain may be cool.
But the synergy can do up to two 12ax7 preamps. Plenty of room for that. Marshall, some fender, engl, splawn. They can be done with two tubes...vox as well.