These may exist. My knowledge of high end audio is fairly limited so I don't know. But, if they do, you don't hear people talking about them much.
What I'm talking about is a single manufacturer that makes all the components for a complete system. Amp. Preamp. DAC. Cables. Speakers. Power conditioner etc. All designed to work perfectly together. I know that would be a tall order as the process/tech required to build a speaker is very different from that of an amp.
I'm asking mostly out of curiosity but also because it would seem to make sense. Audiophiles seem to go to great lengths to find out which components from which manufacturers work well together and compliment each other. It seems to me that no one would know what worked best with what than a manufacturer who designed a complete system for the very purpose of optimizing and matching every component in the chain to perform exactly as designed.
I know. Every audiophile wants a certain sound and that no one system could meet all those needs. I also suspect that for many audiophiles half the fun is doing the research and putting that magic system together themselves. But I also suspect that a serious, knowledgeable manufacturer could put together a complete system together that would meet the wants/needs of a lot of people. And nothing would keep them from having different systems to meet specific demands and even at various price points. And nothing would keep them from selling any of the individual components individually.
Seems like there are lots of manufacturers that make all the basic components needed to assemble a system. I'm not sure though if that is the same thing as specific components designed to work synergistically together, or to complEment each other as the OP mentioned.
Meridian systems, being digital all the way to the drivers, seems the closest I am aware of, other than things like B&O and Bose type lifestyle systems.
@redwoodaudio The idea that Linn isn't well represented as opposed to other brands mentioned to the OP doesn't really hold water in my personal experience. At the very least it should be recognized as a systems manufacturer, which is what the OP's question was about.
@redwoodaudio We are here to provide better representation of Linn in the Midwest US. If you are ever in the Kansas City area, please schedule a time to visit us to listen to all the Linn systems and solutions. You can also check if there is a Linn Specialist in your area on the Linn website: https://www.linn.co.uk/us/try-linn
Please let us know if we can help you. We appreciate your interest and consideration.
@ironlung - Linn isn't well-represented in the US, which is why most US audiophiles haven't heard them. My experience on the Lejonklou/Linn forums thus far gives me the impression that Linn fans think Linn the only manufacturer worth considering for any component, which is pretty grandiose. But if they had better US representation, more of us would have the chance to hear it ourselves.
@n80 Linn have been providing complete systems and were also one of the first HiFi companies to start an award-winning record label. So they are also intimately involved in the studio recording process as a means to engineer better sounding domestic audio systems.
So many of the brands others have mentioned are either companies which farm out product design (McIntosh is a great example, they don't build anything original other than their amplifiers - everything digital or source is made by someone else), or they don't have a full set of source, amplification, and speaker components, so they can't be companies which provide complete systems.
The fact that only one poster (a dealer I might add) even bothered to mention Linn is proof of how behind the times most of the people are with where audio technology has been, is currently, and where it is headed, let alone proof of how incapable most audiophiles are at even beginning to answer OP's question.
Never read anything in the industry about Mark Levenson’s current proprietary line, Daniel Hertz. Mark is a controversial figure in Audio but still an undisputed legend. His interesting and rather amazing multi page bio is on DanielHertz dot com. Did you know that Mark’s great uncle was Heinrich Hertz? In 2014, I helped him with his room at the Vegas T.H.E. Show. The complete top line Daniel Hertz full system is about $300K but it is about the best sound I have ever heard. Big, musical, real. The DH front end is a Mac using Master Class soft wear directly to his DAC. First time I heard great digital.
Krell... Sort of, and by this I mean that between the line stage and input from a CD player/streamer including output to an amplifier, Krell uses a proprietary connection system called CAST. It's an acronym for something... This connection system works better than say XLR or unbalanced RCA typical connections. All the components do come with XLR and RCA connections, but in using these between Krell components, the full potential sonically is not realized.
Part of being an audiophile (at least those who like forums like this) is doing it ‘the hard way’. It wouldn’t be as much fun to go to the dealer and walk away with one big box of same-branded gear and cables. The Linn people seem to be an exception to this rule, but they have their own forums…
With over 40 years in Audio , No 1 company makes everything good ,buying amplifier,preamplifier,integrated amp very good 1 company very possible. Digital, turntables ,and Loudspeakers are a whole different animal and I search for specialists in their respective areas ,it is the best way to go for best results.
Thanks guys. Good to know. For the record, I'm not looking for anything, I was just curious. I'm assuming I was correct in regard to why you don't see many people, here at Audiogon anyway, with full proprietary systems? The Linn systems are intriguing.
There are a lot of one manufacturer systems but they usually involve some compromises especially on the speaker end of the system as well as overall lower component quality than mix and match separates but all in one systems can be convenient.
Kii3 BXT, Dutch and Dutch 8c, Buchardt, Genelec, Meridian, Devialet, Grimm, Steinway Lyngdorf, Geithain. Some have everything but a source and a few even have that.
... at
the bottom of the market in the mid-fi-low hifi range there are a
number of brands that offer the whole range. but mostly they don’t build
much, it’s all OEM stuff from China (like much of the MacIntosh line
up) ...
Nonsense. Most McIntosh gear is made in Binghamton, NY. It's odd that Mike chose to ignore that.
Mcintosh Yamaha Sony Marantz (they use to make speakers) Radio Shack :-) Samsung?
You can carry a complete system in your pockets with a way to download music anywhere in the world AND a way to charge batteries too boot. A backpack model, LOOK OUT!!! Concert levels.
I think an integrated or preamp + amp as a complete system. A DAC, tuner, etc.. do not matter in synergy issues. I have no clue about turn tables.
My office system consists of a Benchmark HPA4 preamp and AHB2 amps. Plus, the CODA 07x preamp and CODA #8 amp. I was going to get the Luxman c900u preamp and m900u amp but the other 2 are preferred from a sound and cost basis.
Einstein. For a look at a complete Einstein system, check out the "45 RPM Audiophile" posting on YouTube in which system owner Michael Ludwig shows off his. If nothing else it LOOKS good. ;-)
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