Matching Gear matter to you?

Surprised that this attracts much comment.  Clearly, one can be governed by appearance, in which case you buy matching gear, or sonics, in which case you seek out the best sounding gear.  Only rarely will the best sounding gear happen to be from one manufacturer.

If you want a bit of both, you can selectively buy the best sounding gear but make sure to seek out the same colour faceplates - Audio Research, for instance, often offered both black and silver versions, and matching makes for better aesthetics (unless you are into a zebra pattern).

@wspohn  Its really about synergy. Buying gear from someone who makes all the pieces and shows them all performing together. But yes aesthetically I like a stack of gear from the same manufacturer, sure.

Can't disagree that the uniform look is nicest, it is just that I won't sacrifice performance for that look.

I do have one system that is a sort of heritage system which I first assembled in the early 1990s. All of the gear is by Classe (DR7 two chassis preamp - the separate power supply is the size of most power amps, a pair of bridged DR3 VHC power amps, and a DAC-1 D/A converter and the look is pleasing.  But my current main system, which uses mostly Conrad Johnson Premier components, has a different make of phono stage, as it is the best such I have ever heard. I do own the matching CJ Premier phono stage, but it lives in my second system upstairs.

I am going to take the plunge on the Quicksilver. My first piece of tube gear and only the 2nd major piece to the system (its been 2 years since the last piece).

It runs 12AT7 tubes, not sure what comes with it but it'll be down the rabbit hole on tubes soon.

I would suggest that the preamplifier and amplifier(s) come from the same manufacturer. In my opinion the other pieces can picked based on your preferred sound and features. Rarely will one company make all types of products that you will prefer.