For me, Syn is awesome. For background it replaced an XMC-1 (after it replaced a number of AVRs over the years).
I wanted a a few outcomes:
- Centered dialogue
- "Ambient" surround, bring the soundstage forward and past the seating position
- Subwoofer output
- significant size savings as trying to build a system that takes a LOT less space, and had the XMC-1
and Freya+ running the stereo side of things, cables, space etc
The ability to run Syn in "stereo + extra" for music is a bonus. And I usually have it it in full process mode, providing a center and ambience for even 2 channel.
The sub channel is well judged, and rolls off sharply. I can easily integrate by ear.
The width control is great to focus center for movies, and for headphones provides that "crossfeed" effect without it being a crossfeed. Depending the material it's also a great tweak.
AFAICT it's transparent.
Everything Jason said in the chapter holds true for me
Chain for me is usually Node 2i > Bifrost 2 > Freya+ > Syn > Lokius > AMPS or Asgard 3
My Bluray/Apple TV feed audio into the Bluesound Optical inputs.