Does mfg's name/model affect your opinion of sound

I used to think that way, and always had a lot of respect for the Audio Research name....so I bought one of their amps a long time ago...I think it was the D120...anyway, it was a poor performer at best. I probably would think that anything Ayre makes is excellent...but now I'd have to hear it first.

If there is any science to our hobby, and a designer is looking to address any deficiencies he feels are there, then you would think that components from a single manufacturer would have a similar sound, a "house sound" if you will. If they all sounded different, you would wonder what the designer's criteria was, or is it just random thoughts and lets see what happens. I would be suspect of such products. A manufacturer should put his sound where his mouth is.

Well, here is a perfect example:

Stereophile Page 16 Advertisement

EMOTIVA
= Rethink High End

A happy Listener sits smiling in front of that System, holding a CD Box in his
hand ---> obviously he likes it very much
Advertising Text:
"Love what your Hear
Go ahead. Sit back and relax. Pick that one track that mean everything to you.
And enjoy
It's time High End Audio returns to its roots.
In Music.
In Loving what you hear.
Rethink High End Audio at emotiva.com."
(Perfect connection between Picture & Text)

I was whining after reading these lines ( I am sensitive you know)

Now, let's go to Reality:
When we look at that picture we can see that the Preamp Display shows
"Phono Direct"
"Vol. 80.0"

But that is not all
On top of the Rack there is a Turntable with a Tonearm
but there is no cartridge to be seen (only the wires coming out from the Arm)

That's High End today :-)

So, startup company "A" designs and builds a preamp that exceeds all expectations. In fact, it practically becomes an instant legend. Over the years, the company produces a dozen other preamp models. By now, the first preamp has become a verified classic, but what about all those other models?

Are we to expect a given company to supersede the piece that made it famous? If so, how many times? How long is it before a brand becomes larger than life? Even if sales remain high, is it a given that the company remains faithful to a business model that adheres to sequential improvement and value, even when the outside appearance of the product line appears to advance with time?

I don't believe there is a concrete answer. Companies tend to change over time. That change can be in any direction, better, worse, or just different.

I try to keep an open mind because today's new startup company may have just introduced tomorrow's preamp classic, but like everybody else I do have certain expectations from some brands out there.

Manufacturers only matter to me to the extent that there are certain expectations of quality levels based on a manufacturer's track record. I don't expect mediocre sound from ARC, Herron Audio or VPI nor do I expect that high level of performance from brands that have not attained anything near that in the past. IMO, it's a matter of setting standards and the target market segment for each manufacturer.