Is system synergy worth having matched components?

I wonder about that too. I think that's what reviewers refer to as "the loom" - staying with the same brand throughout, particularly with cables. Please correct me if I got that wrong. My current system sounds great but I often wonder "what if I tried "X"? That will be a very expensive route with no promise of improvement.  Recently I purchased Synergistic's Foundation silver XLR intertconnects and their atmosphere 2 digital cable. Sounds great. Today there was   an Audiogon ad for an top of the line Audioquest WEL signature XLR cable for $1,500.  I wondered - Hmmm. Then I told myself, stop doing that  - you're listening to the equipment, not the music.

Often the truth is some manufacturers "add" other components to their lines for a brand and sales benefit, when their core skillset or best product is one particular type of component.  

Nothing in my system is brand matched, and I would have it no other way. 

I have always mix and matched brands up until I fell in love with Pass gear XP30 Preamp X350 Power amp the synergy is just outrageous I will never go back to mix matching.  @jasonbourn52 you nailed it drove it straight home. as stated above  someone can`t hear worth a damn  I totally agree what profound statement. I`ll bet you there system is something I would`nt want to listen to.

@holmz

For my approach I would use my last purchase as an example. I was searching for a tube based preamp to upgrade from a less expensive model and did not want simply hit or miss by experimentation. I researched my amplifier online and found a fellow who works for Fairaudio.de , a german based audio publication and component review group similar to Stereophile. He does this for a living and he paired the preamp I was considering (EAR yoshino 868) with the Bryston 4B3 and was still using it several years later in his reference test system. I wrote him a letter, and he responded, giving me enough valuable information to know the synergy between the two was what I was looking for. I did not have to reinvent the wheel. I was also able to confirm the pairing with the fellow I purchased the preamp from as well.  

No.

For many years I have been using tube pres and solid-state power amps.  I like the nouanced presentation with the kick-ass speaker control.

Not many manufacturers major on both.