My current understanding of the product is based on Synergy’s statements regarding how the Syn20IR works (they explicitly state the direct power amp is emulated), comments Dave Friedman’s made regarding how the Synergy back end works (which is used in his products also), and the Astro 20 info, along with info from the TGP mega-thread on synergy stuff.
Direct quote:
It doesn’t have a reactive load built-in, just a resistive one to soak power, then it does A/D on the preamp and it’s digital thereafter. The power amp might as well not exist in direct mode.