Summary:

I purchase the basic Synergy Twin 20 to hold a 40" LCD TV, digital PVR, Blu Ray player, and my Cambridge Audio 840 series integrated amplifier and CD player. It meets my requirements for size, flexibility, and quality. Others have noted that the Synergy line is not fitted with the various anti-resonance features found on audiophile grade stands. However there is no reason why an owner cannot fit anti-resonance devices under the individual components.

The quality of this product is impressive. Everything is solid and well-made. Assembly took some time but was easier than I expected. The shelf pegs or supports are quite substantial and robust, not like those cheap pins you get in other shelf units. Salamander provides a useful ruler/spacer to help align them. I thought it would take me a lot of time to align these pegs properly so the shelves would not wobble, but this turned out not to be a problem. They were easy to set up.

The instructions are adequate. You do need to properly square up the aluminum posts before screwing in the feet that connect them to the bottom shelf. This is mentioned in the instructions, but there is no explicit warning that if you move the posts while tightening you can scratch the wood finish. The salesman at the store warned me about this so it wasn't a problem.

In my opinion, the basic Synergy Twin represents excellent value. It is an attractive, solid and sturdy A/V stand that can be obtained for a reasonable price. The high-end racks with audiophile features cost much more. You can find cheaper units of similar capacity in the big box stores, but the quality of those products is far inferior. If you start to accessorize the Synergy unit with doors, media drawers, etc, the cost goes up very quickly. I did examine some accessories, and in my opinion the doors, hinges, drawers, etc. are also of high quality.

Strengths:

High quality, modular design, excellent value (for basic unit)

Weaknesses:

Accessories can be expensive

Modular construction, set-up, adjustability, customization options

Modular construction, inadequate isolation

Set-up and arrival:
The Twin 20 arrived well-packaged and in good order in two boxes. I was able to assemble the entire rack with the supplied tools in less than 30 minutes. The instructions were clear and easy to understand, and they even included a level for the shelf adjustment.

Construction:
The top and bottom shelves are hefty and solid. The predrilled holes for attaching the six supports all lined up evenly and without drama during assembly. The posts themselves are machined aluminum, also solid and well-built. The grooves in the posts allow the shelf height to be infinitely adjustable by sliding the shelf supports. To call them shelf supports gives them a little more justice than they are due and to call them tabs wouldn't do them enough justice, but they do hold confidently to the posts once tightened, even though a bit more support would be worthwhile if it's necessary to put heavy components on the shelves instead of one the bottom. The middle shelves are simple and do their job adequately. I chose the standard feet- no complaints here- each is height-adjustable and serves as the attachment point for the post.

The rack supports all of the components without creaking or complaining. Anything that will hold a 250lb 36" Sony Wega flat screen, a center channel, and a few components without trouble gets points in my book.

Overall:
This is a nice rack. The $450 retail for the basic black shelves/black posts seems a little steep, but adding the options such as doors, sides, and feet puts the price up to stratospheric levels. The construction is solid, but to be clear, this is not a welded rack with sand-fillable legs and cone-points on all of the shelves and the feet- it's closer to furniture. However, the basic rack looks good, integrates well with the room and serves its purpose. The ability to update the design with different finishes and accessories and a variety of matching components will give you room to grow. Would I buy this again? Yes. But I'd look for one on sale.

My set-up:
Sony KV36XBR250 TV
Sony STR-DA777ES Receiver
Sony STR-DVP7000 DVD Player
Sony PCM-R500 DAT Deck
Def Tech BP10B Mains
Def Tech CLR2002 Center
Def Tech BP2X Surrounds
Can anyone say brand loyalty?