NAMM 2026: California’s own Synergy Amps, a leader in modular tube amplifier technology, is set to push the envelope once again with its patent-protected machine learning power amplifier technology, making its debut at the Anaheim Convention Center this year.
Known for creating award-winning amplifier designs and collaborating with amplifier engineering heavyweights such as Dave Friedman, Mike Soldano, and Tone King, the company has never shied away from pushing boundaries.
Synergy calls its machine learning power amplifier technology “revolutionary” and claims it can deliver the tone of a “true” tube amplifier while achieving the high efficiency, compact design, and heat-saving characteristics of a Class D amplifier.
The company says that tube amplifiers have long been the gold standard for tone, due to the inherent nonlinear behavior of vacuum tubes and the complex real-time interaction between amplifier and speaker cabinet. Class D amplifiers have improved in efficiency and portability over the years, but their low impedance is a hindrance when trying to recreate the sought-after tube amp tone.
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Synergy’s powerful new machine learning technology debuts in two new products. The first is Dave Friedman’s IR-LOAD. This is a collaboration with Pete Thorn and is an all-in-one 360W (90 tube watt equivalent) stereo power supply with amplifier, attenuator, IR loader, and MIDI.
It comes with legs, but you can also place it on a rack if you prefer. A metal “Learn” switch is located at the front center of the amp, where you switch on machine learning for “true tube amp sound.”
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The second Synergy product that incorporates machine learning is Brian Wampler’s PEDALHEAD. This is a 240W (60 tube watt equivalent), stereo power amp with IR loader, MIDI and 6 power amp models suitable for ultra-compact pedalboards.
Pricing and availability for both products have not yet been announced, but if you are lucky enough to be attending NAMM 2026 in California this year, be sure to visit the Boutique Amps Distribution booth (#4626) for a live demonstration.
