2. amps-preamps
  3. 151548-96791

Matching Gear matter to you?

So I had a plan to to go with a single manufacturer for my power amp, line stage and phono preamp. It soothes my OCD but also looks sexy as hell in addition to component synergy. 
That said it was brought to my attention that a different manufacturer has a better component which is also less expensive. My first thought is better and cheaper = do it do it.

Am I crazy? (Probably)

Is my OCD holding me back?
gochurchgo
erik_squires
16,197 posts
 
This is a tough one. 

First, use your own ears. 

Next, I have gotten into simplification. I have gone from separates with monoblocks to an integrated + DAC.

I come from a pro movie background so my usual instinct is to pretend I have an 8' rack I will fit everything into. Goddess I wish I could have 3 stereo amps with meter....

I am down to two fabulous components.  
yaluaka
40 posts
 
I’m sure I’m in the minority here, but when I see matching gear, I feel the person is uncreative and basically uninteresting. To me that is the opposite of what this hobby is about. Which is experimentation. But of course that’s just me and all you uninteresting people out there may disagree.😂
lhasaguy's avatar
lhasaguy
339 posts
 
I have a SS amp and tube Pre Amp from the same mfg.   The synergy is the unmistakable.    Like to say XYZ is always compatible with itself.
gochurchgo OP
923 posts
 
@ihasaguy that what I was aiming for. What’s swaying me to this other manufacturer is that my friend said it has excellent synergy with our amp (we have the same amp).

i won’t be able to audition so it’s a leap of faith. 
gochurchgo OP
923 posts
 
And for what it’s worth this will be my first tube component (regardless of which way I decided to go). This will replace a Schiit SYS in the signal chain so I’m even more scared/excited about making a mistake.
More to discover