Recommended one make systems?

Timrhu, no nastiness noted. It's all good!

Well, sort of. I found a Quad 99 preamp and 909 amp and brought them home. Needless to say, I haven't been to these boards in about four months. I'm still using a NAD C542 CD player with pretty good results and the Quad 21L's remain in place. I am pining pretty badly for the Quad 99 CDP-2, as I believe that this will really be a large source improvement. The 99 pre's phono amp is strong... I sold my Bellari a few weeks after receiving the Quad gear. I'm also getting an itch for a pair of Quad electrostatics, but those my take a while to obtain. I'm using Kimber Kable interconnects and will hopefully get some Kimber 8TC soon. Has anyone had any experience with Kimber Kable looms? What else has worked well for you?

I reread my answer to this thread. A tad nasty. Sorry for that. Especially now as I'm considering an all Linn system after purchasing a Linn Genki. I really appreciate the sound and look of the components.
Did you ever come up with the all one brand system?

MBL it's incredibly life like!!

If you have a Nuforce amplifier, and are in need of a preamp, I think an audition of their P-8 preamp(assuming you can't afford their P-9) would suprise you. It definitely got me thinking about the synergy of using one brand. I'm not sure this synergy applies all the time. For instance, we had a Conrad Johnson PV-6 and one of their amps, and when we put in a Dynaco Stereo 70 instead, it almost sounded like the PV-6 preamp was made for the Dynaco amp. One way of determining synergy, I think, is whether you listen to whole cd's rather than a cut here and a cut there.

I asked a similar question several weeks back...specifically around the Ayre line of products. Now, Ayre doesn't make speakers or analog (table, arm, cart) components, but they do offer everything else. May be worth your time to do a search.

I would suggest Rega all the way!

The Krell SACD Standard/KAV-400xi is a tough 2-box fully-balanced system to beat at $6,500-with 5-years warranty. My other suggestion would be Musical Fidelity (SACD/Int. Amp.), but at a much higher price.

Being half-facetious... Jadis makes (or made) everything you need (except turntables). And the current North American distributor makes cables to boot...

I have heard good one-make systems from McIntosh (except CDP), Linn, Meridian, MBL, and recently Jadis and have had the experience range from being pleasantly surprised to being highly envious by all of them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the question. One thing to note: if buying used, one is much more highly dependent on the after-market service policy offered to a second owner. Some makers are not second-owner friendly, some are. With one brand only, there is much more of a risk in getting that part wrong.

Odysseay is one comapny offering reasonably priced systems (that's source - amplification - spkrs; everything). I listened to one of these and was favourably impressed but can't remember any model number. It wasn't very expensive, though.

WOW!!! Thanks so much for all the great information and suggestions. My reasoning (please remember that this is only my second attemp at putting together a musical system) for a one make system is that I would hope that there would be synergy created by the designer/designers of each brand. I certainly hope that brand X uses their own CD players to test and voice their preamps/amps, speakers, etc. Maybe this isn't the case and I'm just naive. But, and again this may be my naivity, just because CD player Y is rated at 5 stars and integrated Z is also rated at 5 stars, do they work together in a musically pleasing manner? Also, I should have been clearer in my initial post in that I am seeking a CD source and preamp/amp or integrated amp only. No turntables.....yet, no subs and definitely no tuner. Just a CD based system. And I know that only a few manufacturers produce their own cabling and ICs, so that would have to come from elsewhere (which is another debate altogether). So, with the clarifications, which CD/Preamp/Amp or integrated (SS or tube, either can be great) one make systems are available that are musically and emotional with their delivery? Thanks again for the great recommendations. I've really got some homework to do, but this is fun! I may give the Quad 99 CDP2/909 a shot first and go from there.

The real reason that Rega is always for sale is that people don't really like that numb wool blanket sound. It sure ain't live sounding. Clearly the true all one brand but without a Turntable are those boom box stacks with everything all wired up already no fancy pants cables. They take a little getting used to but its really about the music right?
Don't we spend our time talking about which pressing of Apalachian Spring is really the best and why. Also if the small original piece conveys the essence of what Copland trully intended to convey versus the big orchestral long version which is more mellodramatic. Jeeze every post you see is about one piece of music or great new music one after another.
Come off it will you guys. Get your above calling people who enjoy the art of putting together a good system for it's sonics for the simple minded dear Professor. This unsophisticated obsession with the toys is primarily what this site is about. Honestly we all know live sound is what you think sounds live emphasis on think. Beyond which there isn't anything that I ever heard, that sounded as if there were really a live orchestra in the kitchen. Sure some solo instrumental pieces I guess would sound similar.
What is important is that you like it.
Audio note for a guy who is not really in this deep is like asking a guy who usually thinks a perfectly sodded lawn is pleasing to think he rather be in a cramped rock garden. Most people really start off liking a saturated warm colored euphonic sound, with a touch ofextra bass even audiophiles seem to like sound effect bass, given all the subs people talk about.
Therefore I am sorry to inform you that the best single make is Accuphase but you have to sell your house to get all the pieces and those quads will need to be replaced by something like Pipedream line arrays. Yes I know they aren't made by Accuphase.
For just a tad less you could get the starter amps and everything else from McIntosh even the speakers.
Then Krell but not that silly excuse for a real Krell amp. Go for it, get the big monoblocs they have everything else too, speakers and all , All these will get your toes tapping as you avoid the bill collector!

Personally, 1 brand system is a good thing 4 people who love music and want no fuss. And it tends to have higher WAF factor. Never found Linn to be good sound value 4 dollar..but works well. looks good. If you like Krell sound. they match well together. I ended up with almost all MBL. didn.t want to, but synergy too good. I tried not to but I don.t argue with my ears. I think Rega would be great 4 start.

Cheers,
C

I listened to an all in one system that sounded good and wouldn't break the bank. Rega is known for good budget stuff. They would match and you can audition them in one place. Turntables, integrateds, tuners, speakers, cd players. They are always for sale here- usually someone is working their way up in this crazy hobby. Seems like they have a synergy from the get go. Good luck

I also grew up in the South with plenty of music all around, though primarily spritual. Yes, it seemed like everyone preached, played an instrument, sang, or a combination. And that was just my family. There was always singing and playing around, and I eventually participated myself, though I pretty much gave it up when I decided that I was not capable of being the best singer that ever lived.

Though some may criticize and/or disagree, I am fairly basic when it comes to listening to music, especially appreciative of equipment that just puts through what comes off the source. The reproduction of the energy, emotion, and the altering experience is what drew me to high end audio in the first place. And no processed to be beautiful reproduction can replicate the true live music expereince. Of course, not all performers or performances are going to result in a magical experience (some are really boring).

Although there may be many brands that can boogie, I will mention Odyssey. I think their preamps, amps, and speakers are capable of reproducing that intangible aspect of live music that many miss. It is good stuff, though not particularly expensive. For a digital source, I thought the Rega Apollo could really scrap, and I assume the Saturn would be the same but better. I have also been very impressed with the musical capabilities of the Ayre CX-7. In fact, it is pretty good in various audiophile parameters too, and not sterile, flat, and unexciting as most digital gear I have sampled.

For cables, I have been through the combine as many others, though am not rich enough to have tried the very expensive fair. For me, the overall best I have found is Shunyata: The Aries IC is neutral, energetic, resolving and smooth. And the PCs all seem to let the components do what they can do, with added refinements and extension seeming to come as you go up the line (never tried the Anaconda).

As far as I can tell so far, none of the items mentioned above (especially the Shunyata, Odyssey electronics, and Ayre) are going to be good for adding color, weight, or anything else if that's what you are looking for. But IMHO, they will reproduce the essence of musical performance when it is on the source.

Audio Note, you can begin with their basic system and upgrade to your hearts, if not your wallets, content(s).

I have a one brand system and I am neither simple nor lazy. Neither do I think the question is odd. It is the question of a person who is interested in music more than in components. This is a dichotomy which is well established among the Audiogon members. I see no superiority in either position. It's all a personal decision as to what aspect of the hobby a person finds most interesting and satisfying.

When I think of one brand systems, the names that immediately come to my mind are Arcam, Linn, Meridian and Naim. There are of course many others as the posts above identify. You have many avenues that you can investigate as budget and availability permits.

It is possible to do everything from one manufacturer e.g. McIntosh (except for the turntable, cartridge, tonarm) but you will sacrifice quality in certain elements. e.g. Mac's amps and preamps are excellent, but IMO, you could do better with a CD player and speakers from other manufacturers, etc.

That said, for starters, I've found that grouping certain system elements, according to excellence in a particular area, can yield a successful synergy. Using my own system just as an example, Wadia for digital, Levinson for amp+preamp, MartinLogan for speaker/subwoofer, Purist for cabling, etc.

On the other hand, I recently replaced my (very excellent) Levinson amp with a Mac tube amp, just because I prefer tubes for driving electrostats. Yet I don't intend to replace my Levinson preamp with a Mac preamp (any time soon;--) just to maintain uniformity of brand in the preamp+amp group.

However, grouping things this way can be a good starting place, and is possible even within a modest budget.
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I don't think your question is odd at all. System synergy should be strong when you match electronics and sources by the same audio house. If you like a manufacturers "house" sound, then it should make a very good start on a satisfying system. I would never even hint that someone might be lazy in this hobby. At this level, no matter what you do, putting together a pleasing system for the love of music is seldom ever easy, unless you're one of the few that goes into the hobby without caring about the quality of the end product, the sound. And who does that? Audiophiles care about the sound, oftentimes too much. That's what gets us into trouble and into spending thousands of dollars on something that others would think is needlessly wasting money. Synergy is elusive and I feel it's a great idea to try and match the source with the electronics of the same manufacturer. Heck, if you could find reasonably priced audiophile component systems that had speakers, electronics and sources from the same audio house, and all were individually good and collectively very good, to me, that would be ideal. The main problem you run into is the speakers. The companies that make quality electronics and sources seem to rarely make loudspeakers that are up to the standard of their other gear. At least, that's my impression. I'm sure there are exceptions to this, but I'm new in the hobby (4 years) and I may be uninformed. Plus, you're probably talking about mega-dollar high end audio. Are you familiar with Cary? I've heard and read very good things about them and their "house" sound. From what I've heard and read, they are known for smoothness and being involving. I don't know anything about Cary speakers but the ones on sale look like a possibility. If the Cary speakers suggested by Jax2 are actually good, and they might be, you could go, Cary SLI-80 integrated, a Cary cdp (303/300) and those Cary speakers. This would not be an unreasonably expensive system, although I don't know your budget. The price sure seems good for those speakers. That could make for a nice setup all from one company.

revox, cyrus, arcam, linn

BOSE ....

Not sure why you'd want to stick with one brand system other than simplicity or laziness. No offense intended.
I suggest you look at Audiogon systems listed under "budget minded" for some ideas that work. Good luck and keep enjoying the music.

There are many brands that come to mind. Obviously keeping within the same brand can have benefits. For one thing, components are most likely to match eachother well, and they have often been voiced together. Then there's the design aspect of it of course!

Brands that come to mind that work very well together include MBL, Audio Research, Accustic Arts, Accuphase, McIntosh, Linn, Naim, Musical Fidelity, Krell, Marantz, Nagra and probably a lot more! Those are just ones I've heard.

What an odd question. Why are you inclined to stick with one brand throughout? I'd agree that there are no magic brands that go from front to back. Among those that come close, I'd point to Cary, but you would have to look for a used pair of the speakers Dennis Had designed and marketed under the Cary name (they come up occasionally here--currently a pair available here), or settle on a used pair of Soliloquy's which he also had some hand in the design of.

I don't know that a jack-of-all-trades brand is the best way to go though. If you look at the various systems here among those who are passionate about the hobby as well, have been involved in it for many years, and having invested plenty of time and money, you will not find any such one-brand system among them...at least none that I've ever seen.

Marco

There is a simple answer to your ?
SHINDO
From source to speakers,will give your goosebumps goosebumps.

There's no magic in one-brand systems unless they have a unique feature that links them. The only one I can think of that does that from source to speaker is Meridian.

Kal

There are many brands make one system but I don't like those.

The mentioned above systems in the original post do not have neither turntable nor speakers so the only brand that does every component is probably B&O which is priced too high and sounds too "low".

Passing on speakers and vinyl I'd stay with McCormack components.