Audio by Van Alstine Synergy 450 Power Amplifier

RECENT ONE OWNER TRADE-IN

note: extremely small bend in top right faceplate corner - see photo

Synergy 450 Power Amp -

Specifications

Type: Solid-state stereo amplifier

Power: 225 watts per channel 20 to 20 kHz into 8 Ohms

Standard Features:

  Eight high current TO-3 case double die Exicon power MOSFET output devices

  All new AVA designed black chassis with black anodized faceplate

  High efficiency black anodized extruded rear mounted heat sinks

  Can be used for 2 Ohm loads and up

Dimensions: 17" x 13" x 7" (WxDxH)

Shipping weight: 38 lbs.

Warranty: Three year limited warranty

Price: $1999

Technical And Physical Descriptions

On the physical side this amplifier is similar to others designed by Frank Van Alstine, in that it is functional and full of substance not fluff. You will not find any large VU meters peering at you with beautifully colored soulful eyes or expensive faceplates that add nothing to the musical experience except a higher price tag and a nice decorative touch. Not that there is anything wrong with either of those things just that it will naturally add to the cost of the unit, a cost you might not want to pay for. For those that choose not to, the Synergy 450 will definitely make them smile.

"You will love the way our products are built, the way they sound and the way we allocate resources. We build tidy, neat, and very solid amplifiers with the inside engineering perfected first, rather than silly styling exercises. Of course our black-anodized faceplates are attractive but we don't make them a half an inch thick to try to double the prices. Our equipment will impress you and your friends because it compels you to listen to the music, not just to look at the blinking lights and shiny buttons. The value is in the contents, not just in the wrappings."

Following that train of thought the front faceplate of the Synergy 450 has only a power down on/off switch and a logo indicating it is a Van Alstine product. Heat sinks are located around back rather than on its side making for a more pleasant experience when moving the 450 as its fins did not dig into my hands. On the rear panel are a pair of RCA inputs, an IEC connector, fuse holders, a unit power on/off switch and loudspeaker output connectors.

"We now offer two great new power amplifiers for you. Both are all solid state, both have twelve active regulated power supplies, including active regulated power supplies for the output circuits. These provide nearly the same amazing dynamics, transparency, and sense of "you are there" live presentations that have made our new FET Valve hybrid amps so successful. Better yet, there is no hint of "solid state" sound, just music."

The two new power amplifiers the web-site refers to are the $1999 Synergy 450 (reviewed here) and its slightly smaller sibling the $1499 Synergy 300. The 300 has a bit less power, 150 versus 225-watts, weights five pounds less and lacks the double die Exicon power MOSFET output devices found standard on the 450. The MOSFETS while not standard on the Synergy 300 are available as a $99 option. I would recommend you go for it as the double die power MOS-FETs nearly double the current and thermal capacity of the amplifier resulting in more solid bass definition along with clearer highs. No matter which amplifiers you choose both are an excellent option for one's audio needs and priced right to boot. Looking under the hood of the 450 reveals an all solid state amplifier that is well laid out and neatly organized with a large power supply. For those that like to tinker there is ample room for ones hands and tools. For me I have done some soldering in the past with my older Dynaco preamplifier and have learned to leave it to the experts. The work inside the 450 definitely belongs in the expertise classification as it all looked very impressive and quite professional. It was now time to put all these design features to the test by seeing what the Synergy 450 sounded like in my review system. For this particular review I decided to try something just a little different. Gone were my expensive loudspeakers cables, interconnects, power cords and even the Audience aR2p-T0 power conditioner that I normally run my amplifiers through. Instead a factory supplied power cord (run straight into a $49.95 PS Audio Power Port wall outlet), Kimber Kable PBJ interconnects ($110 per meter) and inexpensive Canare 4S11 loudspeaker cables (found online for $1.29 per foot sans termination) were connected to the 450. Remember this is an amplifier listing for $1999 and it just did not seem right to use loudspeaker cables costing more than the amplifier itself. This was all done in an effort to see what the 450 would sound like in a truer world like environment with cable costs in line with the product itself. Of course if you want to try to coax as much as possible out of this product by using very expensive cabling and power conditioners then have at it.

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