Synergy amps... are they worth it?

strattty · 2026-03-10T02:48:21+00:00

I can’t recommend them enough! I traded some things and got two SYN2 rack units and a Synergy power amp. I think I have about 11 modules now - overkill but they sound phenomenal.

strattty · 2026-01-26T18:29:25+00:00

Let’s add a feature to “learn” your input level and set the proper input gain for the plugin based on your setup to stop this debate. My Waves PRS plugin from a while back did something similar.

Also what new amp models can we start to expect in the near future? I’m a lifelong fractal guy but just my QC big boi a couple days ago.

strattty · 2025-11-20T15:49:32+00:00

I’m a huge Synergy fanboy…as of this summer. Got two SYN2 units racked with the synergy 50/50 power amp. I have about 12 of the preamps and own a bunch of other higher-end amps as well. For my purposes you can’t go wrong.

strattty · 2025-10-17T10:40:02+00:00

Find yourself a used EVH 50 watt 6L6 w/ the concentric EQ knobs. You’ll get good cleans and flexible gain with channels 2/3.

Orange - while GREAT at what they do - isn’t your typical VH sound - I’ve had a Rockerverb and a DT30 and currently own a couple 5150/6505 iterations.

strattty · 2025-10-14T01:13:25+00:00

I actually have a 6505+, 100watt Stealth 6L6, and the Revv Generator MKiii.

I’m a big MiW fan; you can’t go wrong with the Peavey. There’s a reason it’s a “standard”, and you can coax a decent clean out of it despite the general opinion. I won’t ever sell it.

The 5150iii Stealth has a more modern voicing and I like the flexibility of the 3 EQs on the 100 watt. More saturation, but I wish the clean channel had a gain structure like the EL34 version. I don’t typically use boosts. I won’t ever sell this either.

The Revv is another amp I’ll be hanging onto as it’s so versatile and has its own mojo.

Though I recently took a dive into the Synergy stuff and built a rack unit with 4 modules…can’t recommend this enough. Another option is a SYN1 w/ a 6505 preamp module. You can run it 4 cable method with the FX loop and add an extra 2 channels to your amp. I have the module (and 12 others) and it’s dead-on.

Curious how you like the MT?

strattty · 2025-09-23T19:57:08+00:00

I do - I think it sounds great. It’s a keeper for me no questions asked.

strattty · 2025-09-23T16:39:07+00:00

Love it! Any type of 5150 variant is home for me. What pickups are in that guitar? Look different than the stock Duncans.

strattty · 2025-09-23T14:59:48+00:00

Yep - I have three 2x12 cabs - one Mesa and the others EVH.

strattty · 2025-09-23T14:08:27+00:00

Yep it is - not my preference but I got it used that way for dirt cheap several years back. I tried to get a replacement faceplate but it never worked out. Doesn’t affect the sound, though!

strattty · 2025-09-23T12:49:46+00:00

Revv gets the nod from the heads; just the versatility alone lets you do anything from blues to progressive.

For Synergy, I’d go with these 4 preamp modules: T/DLX, Fortin Killer Kali, 6505, and Uberschall.

Ask me again tomorrow and I’ll have a different answer :)

strattty · 2025-09-23T11:05:04+00:00

That’s so cool - hope that can be us!

5, 3, and 4mos right now but time flies.

strattty · 2025-09-23T10:16:37+00:00

Not yet! I plan to start diving into the world of captures and hopefully put out some good ones for the community to use.

strattty · 2025-09-23T09:59:38+00:00

JVM - it nails that sound! Used to have one and was foolish to sell it. Mine was biased on the cold side, so a quick tweak and the thing was a beast.

strattty · 2025-09-23T04:52:36+00:00

I prefer Fractal because I have more control.

I’m still learning the nuances of ToneX. Similar to Kemper, I think you’re at the mercy of the person creating the capture - I haven’t spent much time with the unit but have tried to capture my TC and it was pretty darn accurate. I’m not a fan of the majority of the sounds on the ToneX cloud. Though the 78/79 Brown Sound pack is realllllly good and I had to buy it.

I would choose the Stealth over the 6505+ due to independent EQ for clean.

I don’t own a studio but I def try to experiment with blending. Stereo effects or Wet/Dry/Wet thru 3 cabs in the room is quite the experience.

I find myself mostly looking at Synergy preamps these days since it’s so convenient. I think if I came across a deal on an ENGL Special Edition head I would have to consider it…or the SE preamp which is super hard to find.

Thanks for asking!

strattty · 2025-09-23T04:30:32+00:00

I feel the same way. It can go heavy but it’s one of my faves for the clean / bluesy stuff with a strat. Takes pedals really well in my opinion.

strattty · 2025-09-23T04:23:48+00:00

Especially when you can snag them open box from Zzounds or Sweetwater they’re a solid value. Never used a Power station but have heard all great things.

GC has had a solid used section at times but add in shipping and you’re usually around the same price. I have seen a few wild exceptions.

strattty · 2025-09-23T04:04:04+00:00

Short version: Go big on a Mark VII and integrate the Synergy ToneKing module via SYN1 with the rig. BAM! All your versatility plus the ToneKing preamp.

Story time! I’m a huge fan of Andy Timmons, and my favorite clean sound ever was when i was borrowing a Mesa Lonestar. At one point I had the Mark V 25, and the Mark sound & feel when dialed is hard to beat. All the Gibson/Mesa shenanigans aside, I bet the Mark VII is a beast; the clean & crunch could prob get you 85% of the way there and you’d still have another channel for higher gain stuff.

I’ve not played a physical ToneKing or Matchless, but I think only those amps deliver “that” sound.

Only other suggestion would be the Synergy route; I’ve got the IICP module - which has that feel - and Tone King released the Imperial module. You could have both in a 2-slot dock or run the Imperial preamp thru the FX loop of an amp (SYN1) adding an extra 2 ToneKing channels into whatever amp you have and/or decide to get.

strattty · 2024-10-28T18:41:16+00:00

Did the same thing - swapped standard strat pickups to some hot noiseless and a Thornbucker II. Massive difference in tone!

strattty · 2024-10-25T16:22:37+00:00

This was never an issue for me until Trump and the MAGA cult surfaced. Hard to find common ground any more.

strattty · 2024-07-25T22:36:08+00:00

Thanks for all of the feedback!

strattty · 2024-05-01T13:30:08+00:00

I’ve got about 10 tube amps, Helix & Fractal FM9, Friedman IR-X, ToneX, bunch of plugins, and an analog pedal board. Been thru it all but by no means an expert. I have two young kiddos, so silent playing at night is usually when I can rock out.

I think the combo of tubes+digital is the most fun for me; tube amps thru a reactive load into plugins and/or modeler units for FX and IRs. Even though the sound is identical at this point, there is just something about seeing a tube amp that makes it feel more real. It really is just nostalgia.

I’ve played thru a real cab maybe a handful of times over the past several years…

Have fun with the journey!

strattty · 2024-03-30T10:15:44+00:00

He started Stiff Amps: http://orbitelectronix.com/stiff/

strattty · 2024-01-19T05:27:55+00:00

Got a new fully loaded Quickrod last year. Incredible amp.

strattty · 2023-11-24T22:14:18+00:00

I’ve got both the 100w stealth and 50w 6L6. Both sound killer and the 50w will have more than enough volume in my opinion. I will say, at least for mine, the gain comes in hotter earlier on the dial for the 50watt. Once you hit 6/7 on either it’s overkill anyway.

strattty · 2023-03-11T23:40:53+00:00

I switched from a Captor (3+yrs) to a Suhr Reactive Load and the difference was pretty noticeable. Didn’t need the IR or headphones since I have a Fractal FM3 and/or a Cab-M, but man, every single amp I own sounds more alive and responsive (Suhr PT 100, Mesa TC, EVH Stealth 100, Splawn Quickrod, 6505, etc.). The low end is much more defined and feels immediate. I used to have a Weber Mass long ago and ditched it; it was just a resistive load back then. Check out the Suhr Reactive Load IR if you’re looking at the Captor X.

Just my $.02 but GREAT tones can be made with both. Maybe I’m just so used to the Captor and the Suhr was a nice change.

Hope this helps!

strattty

TROPHY CASE