Benefits of brand synergy

I've found when using one brand for amplification and source, many times the sum is greater than the parts. That being said, I've also come across a few brands that do one thing great (ie source), and another thing not so great.

Until their current line, I felt Rega did excellent CDPs and not so good integrated amps, relatively speaking. I owned and loved the Apollo, but the Mira 3 wasn't on its level to my ears. Many disagreed, and I'm ok with that. The new Brio R changed that though.

I own a Bryston B60 and would love a Bryston BDA-1. Unfortunately, I can't afford one. Luckily I could afford the Rega DAC, and I honestly don't think I'm giving up much. Different, but my wallet in no way justifies the extra $1200 for the BDA-1.

Their are some brands who lose some magic when you don't have their amplification and source together - Naim especially comes to mind here. I'm a big fan of the Nait 5i and XS, and the CD5i and XS. Wouldn't take one without the other though, as something just seems off when you mix in a different brand component. I'm not Naim purist though, as I'm not a fan of their speakers at all. Most times, Naim's speakers hold back their electronics.

At the end of the day, it depends on the gear. Some stuff sounds better when you keep it all in the family, some don't. And just because two components (and even speakers) sound great individually doesn't mean they'll sound great together. I guess that's a big part of what keeps our obsession going.

"Don't know too much about Naim, but is it possible to use Naim with non-Naim?"

Yes it is. It used to be and still can be a pain in the rear end. For the longest time, Naim only used DIN connections (except for turntable inputs). They now have DINs alongside RCAs. However, the DINs still sound better, going DIN to DIN from source to preamp, and pre to power. I'm not sure if their power amps have RCA inputs though.

Their preamps must be run by either a Naim power amp or Naim external power supply, as their preamps don't have an internal power supply.

Naim sounds best with Naim IMO, due to the DIN connections and star grounding (basically everything gets grounded through the source).

I've heard Naim amplification with non-Naim sources and vice versa, and it almost always sounded off for some reason. The sum is always greater than the parts to my ears. The only non-Naim digital sources I've consistantly heard sound great with Naim amplification is Rega. The Linn LP12 sounds right at home with Naim stuff too.

I've only heard 2 Naim speakers I'd ever own - the Ariva and the current Ovators. Wouldn't pair them with anything other than Naim though. I'm a big fan of Naim, but can't get passed their speakers. Too dry and wall of sound to my ears. I've wanted to like a few pairs, as they do a lot of things quite well, but I just can't listen to them for more than a half hour before I'm looking for something else.

I own a Bryston B60, as I think it does the PRaT stuff just as well, and adds body, detail, imaging and soundstaging. The best of all worlds IMO.