One Component Manufacturer vs. Many

whubbard · « **on:** 9 Apr 2009, 06:22 am »

Well things seem to be a bit quiet around here, so I'll try and get some discussion going.

Do you have have a lot of gear in your system from one manufacturer or is it from many?

Personally, my Preamp & Amps are all made by the same company, and I am probably going to get an MC Headamp from them too. It is my belief that certain components work well together, and I believe that components from the same company are the most likely to do this. My sources are all from different companies, but even when upgrading them, I am slightly biased/loyal to a company that I have already had a pleasant experience with. Frankly, I believe it would be best to listen and choose gear without any bias, but thats very hard to do. Well AC, what are your thoughts?

-West

groovybassist · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Apr 2009, 06:34 am »

I use Naim gear, so my source, preamp, power amp and accessory power supply are all Naim. They simplify the interconnect drama as well since they use DIN connections and supply their own cables. Makes life easy and the sound good. What more could you ask for?

Enjoy!

-Mike

max190 · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Apr 2009, 06:02 pm »

My CDP and integrated hybrid amp are made by Bada. Only (1) pair of interconnects needed. They match each other in size and color. Remote controlled.

I agree with Mike's statement..."Makes life easy and they sound good. What more could you ask for"?

zybar · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Apr 2009, 06:15 pm »

My system is comprised of products from may different vendors (Vandersteen, Atma-Sphere, Modwright, Logitech, Plinius, Running Springs Audio, Sistrum, Furman, Kaplan Cable, Reality Cables, and a few others).

Personally, I am vendor agnostic and simply go with what sounds best and fits within my budget. Even if I have a very positive experience with a particular vendor and currently own their products, I am not afraid to replace their product if I can improve things.

George

Browntrout · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Apr 2009, 11:24 am »

I think if you are talking about mass produced stuff then it does not matter so much but if something has been tuned by ear by the maker then I think you should have continuety of design.

zybar · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Apr 2009, 12:54 pm »

Quote from: Browntrout on 12 Apr 2009, 11:24 am

I think if you are talking about mass produced stuff then it does not matter so much but if something has been tuned by ear by the maker then I think you should have continuety of design.

But how do you know if you like the ear of the maker? Does that person have the same room or speakers? Probably not.

There are tens or hundreds of other variables that also come into play that turn the makers ear into a moot point.

The bottom line is that you really shouldn't worry about who makes the gear...you should focus on getting whatever gear you want in for an audition and let your ears decide what goes best with what.

George

cruz123 · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Apr 2009, 01:11 pm »

I've done it both ways and have not found any particular sonic advantage to using gear from the same manufacturer. In theory it certainly makes sense, i.e. that the components were probably designed and tested together during development, etc. But in practice I have acheived my best sounding systems using a mixture of gear. Certainly, however, if you like the house sound of say Naim or Cary, I can see how staying in the family could better suit ones goals.

Niteshade · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Apr 2009, 01:22 pm »

Most of the time, the only advantage to having all your gear come from the same place is that it looks similar. There might be some esoteric stuff out there where matching the name brands will sound better, but only if it's professed to make a difference.

Browntrout · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Apr 2009, 01:39 pm »

You will get a better sound if instead of swapping components out and loosing money over years and continually asking questions of your setup you just paid more for a good setup in the first place from a good manufacturer then forget about the stereo and listen without contemplating changing anything.
I think Naim and Cary are mass produced on the whole, though their top line stuff might be different I don't know.
The advantages of having your components made by the same manufacturer are not just that they look the same, it's that they shoould work perfectly together and that they sound as the designer intended them to.

*Scotty* · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Apr 2009, 09:59 pm »

For nearly twenty years I have used custom designed or modified equipment from one man. He has the same philosophy I have, deliver the information contained in the recording
with a minimum of losses. His byword has always been "bring it back alive",a paraphrased reference to Frank Buck's motto "Bring 'em Back Alive". Early on he saw that the dynamic life of the recording could be easily lost unless great care was taken in the circuit design. At times this association has required my active participation as a DIYer. It has been a fascinating journey, resulting in the acquisition of a considerable amount knowledge and insight into the requirements of successful audio design.
I have, and continue to enjoy, the fruits of this approach to audio. So much so that I am seldom tempted to audition other mfgrs offerings. In most cases if enough information about a product is available I can see where the costs were cut in the course producing the product and can say to myself,well if this was changed it might be a contender. It certainly slows down the urge to spend your money when you can see where the design is compromised. Obviously this approach to the hobby is not for everyone,but it works for me.
Scotty

JimJ · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Apr 2009, 01:52 pm »

I'll get it from anywhere...whatever sounds good to me.

Of course, with SET stuff, it's hard to find a complete system anywhere

BillB · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Apr 2009, 02:46 pm »

I have a bastardous bastard system if there ever was one.

Synergy is what is important and I do not believe that buying from the same mfr. will guarantee this...

whubbard · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 Apr 2009, 07:00 pm »

Quote from: BillB on 23 Apr 2009, 02:46 pm

Synergy is what is important and I do not believe that buying from the same mfr. will guarantee this...

I agree that it won't 'guarantee' but I think it is generally a step in the right direction. Most manufactures design with a philosophy in mind, and most accept the final product based on if it sounds good to their ear. Now, if you like one of their products, I would say you are more likely to enjoy the others.

-West

JLM · « **Reply #13 on:** 1 May 2009, 07:08 pm »

Can anyone be a jack of all trades? Or can an individual only be the master of one?

I can't think of any company that offers stellar source, amplification, and speakers. And even then the CD transport, drivers, etc. would all be outsourced. So how much could you say really comes from that same vendor?

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #14 on:** 1 May 2009, 10:27 pm »

If you DIY, you can apply the thinking of a lot of fine minds and cut some cost corners. too. Sometimes I envy those that do. The idea SHOUTS potential to me. There aren't a great many commericial entities that do it ALL. Meridian and Linn come to mind. Bel Canto whose first product was DAC has taken their digital everything approach to amplification. I wouldn't kick Audio Research outta bed. Part of the fun is box swapping and/or tweaking for the majority of us. Lookin for that ole sonic nirvana. It makes economic sense, too. I probably could have paid for an entire ARC system by now tho when I started, I couldn't have had. So, that nirvana has had to come in bits and pieces for me. Besides, speakers are personal.

My first turntable was an all in one package from B&O, an Yamaha integrated and some B&O standmount speaks. That's similar to what I would recommend for someone just getting into this but with a CD player. That's about what my daughter has. Speakers by Fredt300b.

stereocilia · « **Reply #15 on:** 2 May 2009, 12:09 am »

Even if better sound were available by using the same manufacturer for everything, isn't there is something about selecting components from different manufacturers that makes the system feel more like it's our own? It's a purely psychological point, but I think that what we hear is strongly affected by how we feel.

whubbard · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 May 2009, 04:13 am »

Quote from: JLM on 1 May 2009, 07:08 pm

Can anyone be a jack of all trades? Or can an individual only be the master of one?

I can't think of any company that offers stellar source, amplification, and speakers. And even then the CD transport, drivers, etc. would all be outsourced. So how much could you say really comes from that same vendor?

I do have to agree, it would be hard to have a complete system.

But you could have one company for Amplifiers/Pre-Amps, possibly a phono stage too.

I guess this more applies with when you are going to purchase a new product, do you go to the same company you own.

-West

Browntrout · « **Reply #17 on:** 6 May 2009, 09:37 am »

I have one manufacturer for my source (only one source) one for my phono/pre and power amp and one for my speakers and one for my cables and one for the rack. The things that are not British are the interconnect and speaker cable and speakers. I am intending upon replacing my speakers, probably buying drivers and building an enclosure, and if I can I would dearly like to be able to sit infront of something made in Britain. It matters to me, not as much as the sound but it matters.
I decided on the 'technology' for my stereo before I bought it (second hand bit by bit) and now anything I buy is not changing that approach just a better version of that approach. I am looking into changing the caps in my pre and power for something that isn't polypropylene as I don't think their sound is natural enough to my ears.
Perhaps audio design is like books, a designer has one good design in them.

Browntrout · « **Reply #18 on:** 6 May 2009, 10:39 am »

I would certainly expect to see 'breeding' in a manufactures products. I would not choose to buy a valve amp made by Naim for instance. In fact I think the best manufacturers have a strongly held design philosophy.

geowak · « **Reply #19 on:** 21 May 2009, 07:09 pm »

This is an interesting question. I have a different kind of answer to it.

IMO what is most important is that you do not start to put a company or manufacturer on a pedestal.

I had wanted a certain amp from company A for a long time. I heard and read great things about it. When I finally saved up the cash to purchase one, I had problems it. After many, many months dealing with the owner/builder of the product and furthermore spending more money on upgrading and purchasing more from company A, I finally came to the conclusion that company A did not make good products. Most who owned some of these pieces where in some kind of infatuation with the idea that they are good. When in fact they are not any good.

Company A spoke of synergy and different things that could create unwanted noise with his products, but truth be told, he designed his pieces poorly and built them with inferior parts. His equipment MADE the noise.

Lesson learned. This is FAR more important than mixing or matching components.