Admittedly i have not read all 19 pages here, but I know many people are wondering just what/who the Schiit Syn was made for...and the answer is:
ME--with a literal analog connection smorgasbord on the back of my preamp, including
three multi-channel analog inputs (see astonishing back panel in attachment). I happen to still be fully in the analog world (because it simply blows the doors off of anything I've heard digital) and own the highly-coveted 100% analog
superb sounding Multi-channel Audio Research MP1 preamp. That beast just
exudes quality, from the individual per- channel daughter boards, to the industrial looking wide solder traces--trust me when I say they don't make them like this anymore!
I replaced an equally coveted Conrad Johnson Mch tube MET1 preamp--it's main claim to fame being an awesome ARM Matrix surround retrieval system from two channel material. Although I don't miss the tube rolling & notable hiss at all, the AR sadly does
not have that expansion system and I miss it greatly.
That's what the Syn will bring when I get it soon.
So...in more detail...I have a Bryston streamer running USB into an Oppo 205--the latter being the
only digital (HDMI) input of my entire system. I'd connect the Mch analog output from the Oppo as usual into my preamp, but the
2Ch output from the Oppo will go into the Syn (possibly before it goes into Modwright's slick new Analog Bridge to beef up the performance!). That in turn will connect analog into a
second Mch input on my AR.
Now...for something like a movie I have conventional unaltered DD/DTS surround sound decoded from the Oppo. But for
music (namely Qobuz high-res streaming), I will have the Syn to manually adjust all 6 channels as needed to get a great Matrix surround effect.
That's what the device was made for. Thanks Jason for still living in the analog domain like me!
I just love the sarcasm of this company--from the actual name to all sorts of examples on its website. But If you read the Syn manual in particular it says about the remote which obviously has the constraints of controlling an analog system...so there's only so much functionality that it could have. They say "extra features are available on the remote (other than volume control and process toggling)...if you simply hold the remote and have a family member adjust the physical controls on the unit while you listen". Ha ha .. well done guys ')