Synergy

Hi Dev,

Some good points have been made by the others, but I'll add the following thoughts.

Let's first recognize, as you do, that high quality speakers and electronics will usually come from different companies, for obvious reasons beginning with the fact that the technologies are very different.

Then add to that the fact that manufacturers of high quality amplifiers and preamplifiers tend, in general, to either not produce source components as well, or to produce a limited selection of them, constrained to be within a certain price range and feature set (which may not be what the buyer wants).

So for the most part the question narrows down to synergy between preamp and power amp. But then consider that the most important synergistic interaction between the power amp and other components is likely to be with the speakers. While the most important synergistic interaction between the preamp and other components could very well be with one or more of the source components, especially where a phono cartridge is a source.

So as I see it the possible benefit in synergy between preamp and power amp, that might result from having both components manufactured by the same company, will tend to be overshadowed by the different synergies that are required between power amp and speakers (not to mention the room as well), and between preamp and source components. Those being among the reasons that we often see solid state preamps being mixed with tube power amps, and vice versa.

Also, I'll add to the comment that was made about technical specifications that I would draw a distinction between the terms "synergy" and "compatibility." I would use the term "compatibility" to encompass avoidance of gain mismatches, impedance mismatches, mismatch of amplifier power and speaker efficiency, etc., things that can be determined based on technical specifications. Essentially, the ability of the components to function together. "Synergy," on the other hand, to me (and I think to you and to most of us) means that the sonic performance of the components is complementary, such that they reinforce each other's strengths and/or mitigate each other's weaknesses.

Regards,
-- Al

I'm glad there were some responses to the question as it has made it much more clear to me.

Thank you!

To me synergy is about getting stuff that works together well working well in the venue (listening room) it must function in.

Synegy with the room itself is perhaps the first thing to take into consideration to get things sounding best.

Onhwy61 said it all in his first sentence. It's a matter of compatibility, not synergy. Synergy goes far beyond merely working well together. The word is misused. Oh but, it sounds really cool.

Compatibility does not cover it.

Mabe we're cutting hairs, but for clarity sake, most components are "compatible" ie they utilize standard interfaces, like SPDIF for example to be able to function together, but different compatible components do not all necessarily sound good together. There is more to it than just that obviously.

Impedance matching is the technical key but even tossing that into the mix does not cover it all. Two different components with identical impedance specs will still sound different I believe. Seldom do two components sound identical in the same system otherwise. Specs alone do not cover all the necessary parameters. You have to hear the result to know if everything is working well together. Your room and your ears are part of the equation as well.

I always like the soup analogy. You might follow the same recipe and even use the same ingredients (or not) but each pot of soup will most likely still taste slightly different in the end, especially to two different partakers .

Obviously, the chef is the key to good soup. The chef knows what it takes to mak the soup taste good. Synergy is just a term that relates how well multiple factors are applied to deliver a good result.

Look up the definition of synergy. It really does describe what it takes to do most anything well in life, including audio.