Matching stack, or mix and match?

[Analogous]

This is a question that probably comes to mind at some point along the journey.
I guess it’s also about the decision of whether to play safe or take chances with mixing components from different manufacturers in the hope of finding a magical synergy..

Should you build a single-brand hi-fi system? The pros (and cons) of buying into one badge

Matching stack, or mix and match? That is the question

www.whathifi.com

 

[IndianEars]

I believe most manufacturers have a "House Sound".

A potential buyers need to identify and understand that "House Sound" ... Only then should he go ahead with his buying decision.

Mix and Match allows shifting this House Sound to a smaller or Greater extent, with all variables of the system, including The Room, Speaker Placement, Choice Of Electronics & Choice of Interconnects, Speaker & Power cables.

Only if you are 100% in love with a Manuafacturer's House Sound, should you consider buying a Single Brand Setup.

Just my 2 Cents

 

[arj]

There is also the question of specialisation ie some brands make one component the best and are known for that hence does it make sense to buy other components eg Pass Labs/Conrad Johnson etc are known for Amplification, Esoteric for their digital etc.

If you look at synergy ideally you may want Amp-Speakers from the same brand..or Active speakers as long as you like that sound but not many brands make speakers and amps

 

[Analogous]

Among such brands that make both speakers and matching electronics well, Audionote comes to mind.
what are other brands (separates, not powered speakers)?

 

[DB1989]

Among such brands that make both speakers and matching electronics well, Audionote comes to mind.
what are other brands (separates, not powered speakers)?

Our very own Lyrita is a contender.

TAD, Burmester, ATC, Quad and Mcintosh are some others.

In the budget segment, we've got Cambridge Audio and Emotiva that i can think of.

 

[Analogous]

Our very own Lyrita is a contender.

TAD, Burmester, ATC, Quad and Mcintosh are some others.

Macintosh speakers? first time I am hearing of them. do they sound good?

 

[DB1989]

Macintosh speakers? first time I am hearing of them. do they sound good?

Haven't heard them personally but now that you know and in the market for the like, i was hoping you'd share your experience

 

[Analogous]

Haven't heard them personally but now that you know and in the market for the like, i was hoping you'd share your experience

def not in the market. Happy with my Zu’s. Thinking of shedding stuff actually

 

[arj]

Among such brands that make both speakers and matching electronics well, Audionote comes to mind.
what are other brands (separates, not powered speakers)?

Rega, Burmester, ATC, Linn . Naim used to but got out of it.

 

[Decadent_Spectre]

I don't believe in "synergy" or using components from the same manufacturer, my belief has always been its about personal preference. However its hard to know what you will like unless you hear it in your own system so take a gamble after reading/researching. I don't take an approach of synergy (whether same or different companies) nor of matching components, I try something out and use what I like. The only real difficult part is knowing what you will like without listening to it.

 

[arj]

Since you listen to Pro Audio equipment ( from some of your past posts), synergy is perhaps already taken care of as they are far more compatible than home audio components.

 

[Decadent_Spectre]

Since you listen to Pro Audio equipment ( from some of your past posts), synergy is perhaps already taken care of as they are far more compatible than home audio components.

Sorry for the delayed reply, wish people would quote me when they respond to me. I don't have the time or inclination to check each thread I posted in. Anyway, yes I listen to Pro audio equipment. Pro audio is more about compatability than synergy, it's designed to "work". With home audio most equipment has a "color" to the sound and this is because they are designed to be "imperfect" (to add color) and particularly amplifiers and pre amps and other electronics are made this way, that is to to say they are not designed for an objective standard to a budget. When people come across combinations that are sonically pleasing between these components (including speakers) then they call it "synergy". I don't have the time and patience to waste on trying 10 equipments just to see what works only to be disappointed and convince myself otherwise and proceed to post flowery prose online to make myself feel better (note- the more flowery the prose the more disappointed/pretentious the poster, satisfied owners don't post flowery prose). I also don't like wasting money on such things, prefer to use DSP to add flavor and to boot most home audio speakers won't get loud enough for me. That said if by chance someone stumbles upon a combination they actually like then good for them.

 

[sandeepmohan]

This is a question that probably comes to mind at some point along the journey.
I guess it’s also about the decision of whether to play safe or take chances with mixing components from different manufacturers in the hope of finding a magical synergy..

Should you build a single-brand hi-fi system? The pros (and cons) of buying into one badge

Matching stack, or mix and match? That is the question

www.whathifi.com

I used to follow and believe in this method of keeping system components within the same brand as much as possible. Thats what you were taught, shown back in the day, when Sony, Kenwood, Technics, Akai and the like built full stack components.

I don't believe in the above approach anymore and this comes from using various equipment. Off course, equipment needs to have synergy between them, which is the purpose of auditioning gear, before you buy. Sometimes, you can't which is a gamble. That said audio dealers understand this and the better ones are quite accommodating in the sense that they let you take the equipment home (Or you brings your to their shop) and check if they work well together.

The most recent change I've made is with my home theater equipment. My front, center, surround, sub are all different brands and they sound great. This is not a case of making peace with the equipment. They just worked after I tried them out. There were instances I could not get all loudspeakers in one room so was a bit of guess work. In the end, they did gel together.

Similar situation when it comes to CD Transports and DAC. I've found that sticking to one brand is a case of the manufacturer milking you. My experiment with using a cheap Ultra HD Blu Ray player as the transport and a dedicated quality DAC from a different brand has been amazing.

To understand if two components work well together takes a little time. I think its worth a trial. You learn along the way.