Throwing 2 High End brands together will not automatically equal success. Thoughts?

Sonus Faber + Mac:  The brands use the same distribution company so that is a reason that you see them paired up so often.  Same for Naim + Focal.  System matching is almost an art.  Listen to everything you can, understand what each sound signature is, and then go from there.  

A dealer is only going to put together what he sells, and what has good profit margin, also what is in stock. 

Most of the time dealers do not really listen to your needs, they try to feed you what they want to sell. I've had dealers tell me my setup is crap, and not worth investing any time or money into. While trying to sell me a $10k amp, and a $6k subwoofer.

There are times, when someone will work with you, move products around, even let you bring in one of your component to see how it sounds with the other stuff.

Also found that synergy at the dealer might not be synergy at home. Took me a while to figure out that the room is one of the most important parts. 

@audiotroy  Well stated.  
Finding synergy requires homework.  Synergy is subjective based on user preference.  The homework required involves establishing your perception on how recorded/reproduced music should sound.  Perception can be established by listening to acoustic and amplified live music and other systems to establish preferences such as timbre, clarity, dynamics, imaging, staging, etc.  Once you establish your preferences, establish good listen techniques to vet the SQ if different brands or models.  At that point you will be equipped to use the generalizations from audiotroy to find synergy.  Finding synergy in your system will produce balance in your ability to enjoy music.  

hi here in my 4o years of experience gleaned at working for two of the largest high

end audio  stores in New York City Sound by Singer and innovative audio it was 

always best matching components from different companies together as some companies made amazing amplifiers or preamplifiers while their matching amplifier or preamplifier was not as good as their competition.

this lead to combinations such as Convergent Audio preamplifiers with Vac or Vtl  amplifiers or even Krell power amplifier with a tube preamplifier.

in 40 years of doing this professionally and seling thousands of systems I came up with the foundational approach to system building:

1: start with loudspeakers first as the choice of loudspeaker is determined by room size and desired bass output, and budget.

2:choose amplifier or integrated that brings out the best from the loudspeakers

some loudspeakers sound their best on a tube amplifier or solid state amplifier

some loudspeakers are very efficient so you don't need a lot of power 

so you match the electronics to the loudspeakers

3; match the sound of the source to now flavor the system to your preferences

there are warmer dacs and cartridges and more detailed and analytical ones

fine tune with cables power conditioners and accessories room tuning loudspeaker positioning

Dave and troy

audio intellect NJ

@audiotroy 

Thanks for your comment. Great perspective.