Detail, depth, soundstage, styling, manufacturer support (excellent web site, product upgrade service, etc.)

You only know when you find something better!

I have had a Synergy 1 for about 2 years, used with the BPS1 battery, Model 2 power amp and battery as well. I bought them second hand, and have been extremely impressed with every aspect of their performance - can't really add to the "Synergy 2" reviews.

I recently had an upgrade to a "Synergy 2i" for the bargain price of £1000, and this has transformed the sound to another level. It sounds like a completely new amp. See rowland's web site for details of this upgrade, but you're basically ending up with 90% of the costlier Coherence componentry in a Synergy box.

Now this upgrade is run-in, it is truely amazing and everyone with a Synergy 1 should getthis upgrade - the best value upgrade you could ever do!

I had the opportunity to pick up this unit at very, very reasonable price - a good thing considering it's sticker price - and did so only after a lengthy audition. And, I didn't exactly upgrade from a much lower level unit, as my prior preamp was a Classe CP-50, which I raved about when I bought it (and still think it is terrific).
The thing is, this Synergy preamp has a sound that is better than anything I've ever heard (and I can only wonder how much better the top of the line Coherence sounds). The clarity, detail, resolution, tone, timbre, low end, high end, air, soundstaging, etc., etc., etc., are all superb. I have heard the Mark Levinson 380S, and I have to tell you that I think this one is better by a noticible degree. Best of all, my new Theta Miles, which sounded great with the Classe CP-50, now sounds like a whole new CD player. Everything sounds better.

It's not cheap, but what the hell, this is a crazy hobby and the thrill of having great music is sometimes irresistable.