Brand Synergy - How Far Will You Go?

Mike

Mike

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I know a lot of people who like to keep their electronics "in the same family". Same brand for amp and preamp. But how far do you take it? Do you look for the same brands Phonostage? DAC?

How important is full system "brand" synergy to you?


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There can often be synergistic performance gains by staying within one manufacturer's product line and it's less risky to do so since they are designed to work together. However if you have the opportunity to try individual components from different companies in your system you can find some outstanding combinations that in some cases exceed the single brand solution. The key is being able to try the combinations before making a commitment to purchase, since without that it can be a very costly way to learn by experimentation.
 
Have a look at the components in my signature line. I have found deep satisfaction by "keeping it in the family".

But just "because I'm on a diet doesn't mean I can't look at the menu".

I still go to numerous audio shows and other audiophiles homes to compare my sound to other well thought out systems.

But so far, I've found what I've already possess to be supremely satisfying. So I am apt to embrace the upgrades and improvements in technology of the manufacturers that I already have.

Yes I do believe in brand synergy.

It doesn't mean I can't experiment. I have had 4-5 different DAC's in my system over several years. But I keep coming back to the same brand.

But it doesn't mean that system matching can't be done outside of a single manufacturer or designer. It just takes skills and patience that I don't possess.
 
Mike said:
I know a lot of people who like to keep their electronics "in the same family". Same brand for amp and preamp. But how far do you take it? Do you look for the same brands Phonostage? DAC?

How important is full system "brand" synergy to you?

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If it sounds great, very important. You really have to try it out and let your own ears be the judge. I have recently found huge synergy between ARC digital sources and ARC preamps, much more than I could have ever imagined. Other gear I have owned offered great synergy between preamp and amp, such as Soulution 520 Pre/501 monoblocks and Pass Labs XP-30 Pre/XA-100.5 monoblocks.

Ken
 
In general, amp/preamp makes total sense to me - but not necessarily phono or dac. When I see 10-box Arc systems, I sometimes chuckle.

I also typically wouldn't buy electronics from speaker manufacturers.
 
a.wayne said:
Well Gryphon comes to mind, seems like that audio curve ball comes at you everytime you pen a formula .... :)
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....stop that, next thing you'll be saying Ayon too & then Sanders Sound systems as well as MBL etc. Could be Shunyata's turn next :D

As for brand synergy, unless you are extremely well heeled it does take the fun out of things a touch through lack of choice.
 
One of the WBF member's, purchased a Pendragon speaker system , so i guess you can get Gryphon in the USA if you really want ...,
 
I think there is a lot to be said for one brand amp/pre amp synergy. I also prefer the consistent look in a single manufacturer 's industrial design but there is a limit. There is no way I would pay D'Agostino's asking price for his phono stage no matter the SQ and matching industrial design.
 
Here's my approach, at this point. "At this point", because I like to keep an open mind.

1st, I used to be hard line one brand for pre, power, and, less so CDP. I think analog has so many variables it doesn't matter.

I once had a Krell integrated with another brand CDP, single ended. When I switched to a Krell balance CDP the sound improved dramatically. Not only due to being balanced, both pieces had that Krell sound, grip and control. (talking old school Krell)

Now, I still like same brand as a rule of thumb, but at least stick to same topology. Notice my Pass pre with ML power. both differentially balanced. Before switching to a ML amp I had a Pass. I tried a ML pre with the Pass and the combo was not good. Figure that one. My current set up I like very well.

What weakened the hard line, I once matched a Conrad Johnson CT-6 preamp to a Threshold power amp and the combo was magic, truly magic. I wish I had kept it longer. Both single ended.

Also, I once bought a small manufacturer's pre and power amp that didn't seem to have synergy at all. This scenario has been rare, actually, only this one for me.

To some up, I still think you are safe with same brand, and, best way to go but if the ability to audition and play there can certainly be some good combos in mixing brands.

Some many disagree but, generally, each brand has a "house" sound. So by sticking with that brand you get that house sound throughout. By mixing the sounds, it either works, or, it doesn't. And, if you do disagree, consider this, if there were no "house" sound, what would be the point of this conversation? Unless speaking on a pure electrical terms.
 
a.wayne said:
Well Gryphon comes to mind, seems like that audio curve ball comes at you everytime you pen a formula .... :)
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Vandersteen too, although his amp is really meant to drive the Model Seven.


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I have been brand loyal to McIntosh for decades. That doesn't mean I haven't also owned quite a few components from other manufacturers, but even today I still hold firm to use a McIntosh preamp with McIntosh amplifiers. I have also remained brand loyal to McIntosh tuners, although I lust for the Magnum Dynalab MD-108t tuner. I have also included many McIntosh digital source components in my systems until the past few years. I now use Esoteric, Olive, Wyred 4 Sound and Sonos for digital components and soon to include the Aurender N10. While I do believe there is synergy to be obtained with matching preamps and amplifiers, plus the aesthetic appeal of matching looks, I have expanded my viewpoint when it comes to source components. I have never been brand loyal to McIntosh speakers, nor would I own a McIntosh turntable. Neither of those items ever appealed to me.
 
Back in the day I used to switch around quite a bit. Not usually my doing; friends were constantly trying to get me to trade/loan equipment. However after getting my KEF's I never changed the speakers again.

Since jumping back into this crazy hobby I have not been able to have brand synergy, however I do try to have same design goals synergy. Eventually I would like to to build a full McIntosh system, but that is eventually. Getting tuner now because the deal came up and I had to grab it... don't think I could justify a McIntosh tuner at normal price... hopefully the MR85 will server me as long as I need a tuner...

Currently the thoughts in the components I have added (yes there is a thought pattern going on here :D) also along with having a limited budget.... the speakers the one over whelming factor is European design. The MC, which I admit I completely feel into, are outstanding and I do not see myself replacing these for a very long time. I was telling a friend that I wanted to save up and eventually get a pair of KEF Reference speakers. He said take these home (they were from an audio show and are not currently imported into the US) and you won't care about getting the Reference any time soon.

Pre-amplifier... pure and simple, get the heck out of the way... imaging, imaging, imaging.... and outstanding DAC with an excellent headphone amplifier. This was the criteria...

Amplifier... Pure and simply... clean and all kinds of balls.... huge transformer, heavy as hell... McIntosh type without the price... so good legendary classic design, but without the wonderful McIntosh looks as well... missing my home town feel... but a great amp...

Spinner, better than the average just play the disk machine... can't afford Esoteric, or McIntosh for that matter... but a solid rated machine that plays only music. I did not want a machine that plays video...

So, I think it all works together well. Jealous of a lot of the amazing systems I see you guys have here... but enjoying the hell out of this hobby again and knowing sooner or later I will get that full McIntosh system, maybe... traveling on Conklin Ave. every day growing up it is branded into my brain. BTW- for those who do not know, Chambers Street is a short street off Conklin Ave. that McIntosh takes up one entire side of the street.
 
nicoludio said:
Vandersteen too, although his amp is really meant to drive the Model Seven.


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I own the Vandersteen 7 MKII speakers and the Vandersteen's M7-HPA monoblocks and I can tell you the synergy is just off the charts great. It goes way beyond normal speaker and amp synergy because these amps eliminate several compromises of traditional amps. Firstly, they do not need to supply low bass to the speakers. That is supplied by the subwoofers' monoblocks. In addition, the amp and speaker connection is single-ended with custom short fixed length speaker cables, which eliminates the amplifier compromises of variable length/impedance speaker cables.

I have listened to all the contenders and the Vandy monoblocks sound significantly better with the Vandy 7 speakers in my opinion. So I agree there is an exception for every rule. :)

Best,
Ken
 
When the Mac table came out I read a review, the table is made for Mac, Im thinking Clearaudio but can't remember for sure.

jdandy said:
I have been brand loyal to McIntosh for decades. That doesn't mean I haven't also owned quite a few components from other manufacturers, but even today I still hold firm to use a McIntosh preamp with McIntosh amplifiers. I have also remained brand loyal to McIntosh tuners, although I lust for the Magnum Dynalab MD-108t tuner. I have also included many McIntosh digital source components in my systems until the past few years. I now use Esoteric, Olive, Wyred 4 Sound and Sonos for digital components and soon to include the Aurender N10. While I do believe there is synergy to be obtained with matching preamps and amplifiers, plus the aesthetic appeal of matching looks, I have expanded my viewpoint when it comes to source components. I have never been brand loyal to McIntosh speakers, nor would I own a McIntosh turntable. Neither of those items ever appealed to me.
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