Synergy of pre to power amps - does it matter?

I have recently completed my Audio Note system with M3 pre and Conquest SET power amps hooked up together.

I must say I am surprised and delighted with the result. Until the Conquest arrived, I tinkered around with Solid state from various manufactures, borrowed a McIntosh tube power amp (which was a big improvement) and finally the Conquests.

I really do believe there is a synergy with same make components. If a (good) engineer is designing a pre-power combo, it will surely be tested primarily as a working pair, and the final sonic signature be a combination of both. Ok, it will also be designed to work with other similarly priced components, but surely the focus would be same make synergy in the lab.

And it is this synergy that I believe can make the difference. I suppose in a perfect world with all the money up front we would go and buy the entire system at the same time. But I, and I guess most other enthusiasts, don't have this opportunity, and we make incremental upgrades along the way.

I am sure same make synergy doesn't often apply to the entire range of components, as not all manufacturers are best at everything, but in my case I think I have made a good choice. It sounds right so I'm happy!