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Matching components?

I’ve read a couple of posts on this site alluding to the notion that one can be best assured of positive results by matching components produced by the same manufacturer when assembling a stereo system. Is this really a thing? Should I worry that a Decware phono stage won’t play nice with my ARC linestage? Or that I would have been better served by finding an ARC DAC in lieu of the Black Ice FX DSD I recently acquired?

Just looking for a little guidance, as my budget is such that I really can’t be screwing this up...

thx
rfnoise
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
No, it is not a thing. No, you should not care. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367
Different turntable, arm, cat, phono stage, amp, speakers, wire, subs. Different conditioner, vibration control, room treatments. Please note the listener comments in the system notes section. Select each component on its own merits independent of the others. Only way to go.
rfnoise OP
153 posts
 
Yes, Mr. Miller, I’ve seen the pictures of your system. I’ve actually used those pics to rebut friends’ claims that I’m getting “carried away” with my own modest system.

guessing that took a fair bit of experimentation to achieve.


hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,859 posts
 
This is a question I had at the beginning of my journey, too. It simplifies things but it’s more like having the waitress order for you -- takes away the fun and eliminates the easy-to-discover variety of the many things that can work for you. There are some rules of thumb for avoiding MISmatches (that are easily researched) and that’s probably the limit of caution you need. I’ll spare you links to my unmatched system, as explaining this doesn’t require hubris.
petg60
1,486 posts
 
Generally you should take care to match components, electrically and mechanically.
Sound wise you can manage.

fiesta75
1,378 posts
 
Matching is only for appearance. Has little to do with SQ unless you are talking impedance matching.
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