Synergy

Impedance and gain compatibility are engineering reasons for the basis of synergy, however, for most audiophiles I'm of the opinion that synergy is an explanation for personal sonic preferences. Why use tone controls when you can mix and match components. Using a single brand of components would take away much of the fun of this hobby.

Only slightly more seriously, only a small number of companies are equally proficient at making source components, amplifiers and loudspeakers. McIntosh, Meridien, Sony, Krell, Harmon Group, Linn and Yamaha are some of the exceptions to the rule.

While I don't agree with the underlying assumption you make, lets assume you are right. Someone who is just starting out will have to buy at a minimum a source, an amp AND speakers all made by the same company. Since few if any big companies make great speakers, you would have to search to find speakers that worked with your chosen electronics, or electronics to match you speakers. If you did the latter, each time you would have to buy a new source, new amp. etc, an improbable event I think. For many that might be where the concept of synergy starts to play.

As as pratical matter few folks ever buy an andiophile level system all at one time. Things are purchased incrementally as our budgets and needs (as we develope listening skills and start forming strong preferences) change.

Effecting 'synergy' is nothing more that learning how to combine components to obtain the 'sound' you want, not necessarily what someone else has either created (as in manufacture, sold or assembled) or recommended. No one, especially a manufacturer, can know what you want to hear just as a beginner doesn't know either.

As the beginner becomes acclimated to a sound system, learns from reading and hearing other systems, as well as attending live performances he will develope a greater understand what is (and what is NOT) possible.

So my question to you is, what universal one manufacturer system would YOU start with, and once YOU determined that its sound could be improved on, what would your next one manufacturer system be?

when buying equipment rules your life, one system built of the same brand is boring....in many cases better, but boring.