Schiit Syn Review, Discussion, Impressions, Measurements

so basically the Syn is the ultimate virtual surround interface for headphones? @Hands its time to figure out how good it is for gaming.

 

With respect the gaming experience to headphones, more expansive experience, but with the caveat that the width knob cannot be cranked up too much. Cranking the width too much kills the center information without a center channel, which is obviously not possible with headphones. The effect is subtle, maybe too subtle. I think if you are looking for a gaming surround wrapped into a headphone, the best choice is still here with @Hands recommended settings: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...tual-surround-musings-and-measurements.11838/

So yes, we are still stuck with "crappy DSP" that comes with a "dirty" kind of sound when it comes to headphones.

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However, when it comes to speakers, it a totally different ballgame. I put up the quad speaker system on my computer setup quick and dirty last evening so excuse the mess. JBL 308s in front and 306s in back. (FWIW, the 306s sound better, better integration between highs and lows and less muddy, but the 308s will get louder. Basically what @Psalmanazar has said many times.)


With general games that do not necessarily support surround, 5.1, quad, etc, the Syn goes a good job providing ambient info and filling the environment. Examples of such games are Elden Ring (ancient engine) and Torchlight Infinite (mobile / PC ARPG). With non-surround games like this, I found out that I needed turn out the volume up the surrounds. With games that actually support surround mode like Diablo 3 (I know, that's ancient too), the Syn does a fantastic job.

I wanted to crank up the width setting, which with speakers doesn't just crank up just the width, but also expands everything outward. However a lack of a center channel in the setup above didn't allow me to take full advantage of it.

 

that’s it then. I’m ordering to test right now. I suspect this will be the best gaming interface on the market.

 

The internal DAC is absolutely fine and more than enough for gaming or streaming movies (the fact is, movie sound is exciting and highly dynamic, but hardly audiophile grade). However note the MMB2 here, which I selected on the basis of Schiit's filter which provides tight imaging / localization and depth within the soundstage. The ESS just don't do this - it does stage farther (which the Sync can fix), but the stage is flat.


For kicks, I tried the Yggdrasil as the DAC. Yes, this darn thing actually scales better DACs - with headphones and also with these crappy cheap JBL monitors. Definitely more microdetail, tighter more articulate bass, more texture, way better layering, better timbre (matter of taste with the Yggdrasil LIM) and most importantly more engaging. LOL, I think I will keep the Yggdrasil in the chain. The only thing missing is a higher gain mode, which I suspect could sound better (especially with headphones), but also cause other problems (signal overload into monitors).

It's my understanding that the Syn uses a discrete circuit for the main outs. The surrounds and center I believe are the opamp based stuff with a million db of feedback, but these channels are less crucial.

 

Schiit Syn in a nutshell:

Stupid surround for dumb or lazy people (like me who are too old or busy to F with stuff).

91 /100 Official SBAF Rating

Schiit Syn (of out focus) with MMB2 DAC stacked on top of it. Audio Pyrate is happy. SINAD Panther has a boner. JBL 308 monitor in the background.

Pros

• Line out provides flexibility with own amps/speakers or self-powered monitors on the cheap
• Not limited to internal DAC. Can use any source, from turntables playing ancient quadraphonic LPs or mid-high end DACs.
• The DAC inside is actually pretty decent.
• Audiophile sound quality, scales with better sources, surprisingly more transparent than expected. Doesn't sound like your shitty Atmos capable Onkyo or Sony receiver at Best Buy.
• Minimal settings, adjust three knobs, got out of seat while watching first movie a grand total of three times to totally dial everything in - never looked back.
• Many use cases from music, games, movies - headphones or surround speaker setup.
• Relies on matrixed surround embedded in stereo of shows from Netflix, HBO, or games that support it, etc. Also magically works on any music.
• Amazeballs SINAD (if you care about this - think of it how I like my Belgium tripels with high alcohol content).

Cons

• Line out only
• No speaker outputs, so need to buy amps or use self-powered monitors.
• Don't bother with you have a proper double-D 5.1.2, 9.1.4, or 12.1.64 Atmos setup.
• May cause you psychological problems if you are worried about it not being discrete digital surround - the fear of missing out on branded and licensed tech.
• Center speaker needed if you plan on maxing out stereo width knob.
• No balanced outputs, doesn't scratch my balls. More seriously, need to get good shielded RCA cables for longer lengths with gaming OLEDs that run at high refresh rates (120Hz+).
• Not necessarily a con, but would like to have a higher gain for headphones (or maybe even the preamp).

 

willdo. Will test PS5, series S and PC (mostly PC)

 

I'm talking about gaming with headphones. The other bits will have to be explained by others with Syn since I don’t have one in hand yet.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix_decoder

The game / OS of course would have to support it. Do not have details of Schiit's implementation of decoding...