The secret of mixing and matching stereo components

Should people buy only from one brand or mix and match from many. Paul helps us navigate these difficult waters.

[jerry]

I have been a music enthusiast for over 60 years. Have had several systems over the years. I'm retired now and have no interest in mixing and matching components. My goal at this point in time is an excellent system without the "journey". So I am in the process of putting together a complete Perfect Wave system that plays well together. Thanks Paul.

[carlosbucio]

My previous setups were all the same brand. I have mix and match now and couldn’t be any happier. I went from receiver to separates. I have a Marantz AV8805A pre/pro, Yamaha Aventage MX-A5000 11 channel power amplifier, Oppo UDP-205 4K player, Technics 1200 turntable and an Onkyo double cassette deck. The front left and right channels are Bowers and Wilkins. The center, surround and surround backs are all Acoustic Research. The front heights are Polk Audio and for bass I have two 18” Velodyne DD18 powered subwoofers. XLR cables make a huge difference (at least for me) compared to RCA.

[Bassotronics]

Mixing brands can be tricky when you take 2 hours to properly setup the speakers and still don’t sound right because if it. Properly matching is recommended but it’s all a matter of trial and error and correcting those errors to get the best of what you have.

[stTank]

Thx so much for these videos. Im just starting my audio journey (coming from cheap 5.1 market systems) and these videos help me alot.

[leepaulison]

I'd have to agree with your assessment. As a starting audiophile, it makes sense to buy an all-in-one, or if you desire separates from a single company. That way you are ensured your getting the best sound at your level of experience. Then, as your experience broadens, you may find that you want to eek out the best from your speakers. So you'll look for a separate that enhances some aspect of your speakers, maybe you want to enhance the warmth or bottom-end bass. But before you get there, you need to start from a given point. Mixing from the get go you'll find it harder to define the starting point of exchange.
As always an excellent video. Thank you.

[louisperlman]

For 30+ years, my electronics were from different manufacturers, but now I'm a happy BHK amp and preamp owner. Going forward, I'll use the phone cartridge and cables to shape the sound in a different direction if need be.

[royrice]

More of a “mystic knowledge” when you get the right sound. It’s either there or it isn’t! 👍👍👍

[zulumax]

I like what Radio Shack did with their catalogs where they would match up components according to budget levels. There was a "Good", "Better". and "Best".

Component systems, or a kit of speakers, turntable, cartridge, and a receiver, were matched by how they worked together within a budget constraint. Wish someone would do this again.

[Vor-tech-studios]

Thanks Paul and all the great questioners and also especially all the other great comments here as well! I do mixing and I move a lot of hifi equipment. I know what my ear like and what is important for critical listening, I have 3 systems setup for my own use at the moment, all very very different from one another and I love to listen to all of them...! Though I think gain staging can change them substantially

[edd]

I think I’ve heard Paul say in the past (before the fr 30) that one is generally better off buying speakers from a company that specializes in speakers vs a full line up. I think that’s good advice and would apply to sources too- turntables, CD players and DACs/streamers. The synergy thing would seem most applicable for pre and power amps and related power supplies IMO.

[budgetaudiophilelife-long]

😁YES I WAS SURPRISED WHEN YOU PROMOTED PS AUDIO …but not really 😁
Someday I hope to see and hear 👂 them 🤗 …But for most of us the 🔑 key is SYNERGY 😍😍😍

[armanddimeo]

One suggestion if you have neutral to bright sounding speakers is to pair them with electronics that are a little bit on the warm side.

[tomehCanada]

Excellent start. Stay with PS Audio. ;-)

[arneheinemann]

In my case: I found a companie (Linn) and a Dealer I trust (Speaker’s Corner in my hometown Kiel in Northern Germany near Hamburg; you might know them, they also reissue vinyl records). After more than 40 years of searching the „best“ sound I am tired of comparing cables and other stuff. Very important: I can hear every new component at home before I buy it. And the dealer helps to install them if necessary. Greetings from Northern Germany

[Mikexception]

Absolutly right - first is level of user expertise. Having one type of technology allows using the system produced by one producer and through years I was by this side .. Because producer matches all very good and renders it with own speaker, often made to get exceptional outcome which is reflecded in price .

Last time I got old tourist size vintage boombox radio casstette, made by such reputable company with price tag in 1980 about 250 USD. All inside is by them (with speakers included) and their own patented 3D sound extension and it blew me away how from distance 3 feet it does job emulating sound of big system and bringing music from space around . Magic.


But for somebody who uses different types of media, which are from mixed producers, like tape, LP, CD cassette, Radio, PC and TV, even own engineered recordings such one system designed (with even many inputs) may be too limited to control and get most of it . Sometime we need do design in our own way, anyway to make it worthy needs a lot of testing and comparisons and unfortunately experience grows in time .

Last time I decided by ear that my cassette and LP both need tube inputs in my integrated tube while R2R is ok when driving directly B&O IC preamp with loudness and remote. This B&O preamp drives Uher transistor preamp which forms main loudness curve and this preamp is driving tube integrated to double widerange speakers in personalized enclousers I do not think any producer would imagine such customer :).

[geereesh]

Your gear is expensive, Paul! Even selling kidneys won't cut it! I want an FR 30 lol.

[zwebsterz]

That’s more than half of the fun. The trying and matching to get the sound I’m looking for is the core of fun. Buying a pre-made set of equipment based on someone else’s preferences is a disservice.

[anthonycrivello]

Mix home audio gear with pro audio gear, and the fun REALLY starts.

[patrickmccrank]

Basically, if you wanted to simplify this, pick a company who's range of products are affordable to you. You purchase either piecemeal or a complete system. In this way you know everything is compatible and all the fiddling and tweaking are pre sorted out by for example, Paul.

[OldTooly]

I've been mixing and matching since 1960's and until very recently, I've been quite successful in it. Brands included Lafayette equipment early on, Harman Kardon, Crown, NAD, various Asian tube products, DBX, and a few pro sound reinforcement devices. And as of the last 2 years PSAudio. But recently I bought an Adcom GFR5400. Stand alone, the amp is a good performer. But in a multi-amp system it doesn't get along with any of the others. It's gain structure is completely different requiring many DB of level adjustment at one level, only to require a different relative level setting when turned up or down rendering it unusable for my present needs. And this doesn't even begin to address any audible quality variances. So, while this hobby/lifestyle is so very important to me, I can see where, for some, it might be an exercise in frustration. That being said, my PSAudio Gain Cell DAC has been the cornerstone of my system and actually plays, not well, but perfectly with every amp from cheap tubes to high power solid state. Kudos to you Paul as I think you had quite a hand in it's design. And I can only imagine what your higher end gear might be like. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.