Looks Do Matter

[Andrew B]

OK, so the sound is the ultimate factor, but I really do like the look of certain products. I'd like to know what others think too. Feel free to put piccies on or not, but I'm wondering what you all see as the outstanding bits of hifi eye candy from as far back as you like.

I could list about a hundred, but that would probably leave no room for others, so here (off the top of my head) are a handful of favourites:

Linn Isobariks

Audio Innovations 500

Myst Tma3

Neat Petites

Spica Angelus

SME V

Musical Fidelity A1

Krell KSA series

Audio Research preamps

Naim 42/110

Ok, over to you :)

[pjdowns]

I see where you are coming from here Andrew...

Personally I really like the look of my Epos ES14 loudspeakers but a lot of people have described them as 'Ugly' or 'Industrial' with the dedicated stands.

I like a good looking turntable... Maybe a Michel or full-on LP12

Amps, I really like the valve ones you see on here but keep with the Exposure's I have because I like their sound.

For CD Players, the Naim CDS3 is pretty (to my eyes) as is the original CDS and CDI models... I also like the look of Acoustic Research CD players although again I've heard them described as 'industrial' and I like the look of Meridian CD players.

Back to speakers, I really like the look of those all glass cabinet loudspeakers... not sure the name of the brand but they look great and I've always been intrigued as to whether they sound as good as they look!

Hifi stands - I like Stands Unique, not a fan of Naim stands... bit too overkill for my liking...

Paul.

[synsei]

Controversial, controversial... :lol:

Actually I'm with you on this Andrew, although I wouldn't chuck the baby out with the bath water. I quite like the industrial look myself although I'm not immune to sleek elegance either. Two bits of gear I own really do it for me, my Classé Audio DR5 and Delphonica Vallhalla One pre and integrated amps:

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/BampW.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/BampW.jpg.html)

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/07a431de-686b-468f-86ed-56f97caf070e.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/07a431de-686b-468f-86ed-56f97caf070e.jpg.html)

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/DSC_0024-1.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/DSC_0024-1.jpg.html)

[pjdowns]

Two bits of gear I own really do it for me, my Classé Audio DR5 and Delphonica Vallhalla One pre and integrated amps

I can see why Dave, they are gorgeous!!!

[Rare Bird]

Looks are important factor that's why i wouldnt touch most modern equipment with a barge pole :lol:

[istari_knight]

A few of my favorite lookers that spring to mind...

CD player: BOW Wizard

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/BowZZ-8-bmp-cropped_zps00195cb1.jpg

Turntable: Mcintosh... I am ashamed of myself :o

http://www.analogplanet.com/images/imagecache/600_wide/Bettermcintosh.JPG

Amp/s: Quad 33/303 & [Saul] Marantz Model 8B

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5115031477_20888132a9.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/Marantz-8_zps05fce06a.jpg

Speakers: Canterburys & Diapason's

http://www.whathifi.com/sites/whathifi.com/files/images/2013/May/Tannoy_Canterbury_GR.jpg

http://img.audiomania.ru/pics/goods/big/diapason_astera3.jpg

[daytona600]

Rethm speakers/amp/rack

[Andrew B]

Controversial, controversial... :lol:

Actually I'm with you on this Andrew, although I wouldn't chuck the baby out with the bath water. I quite like the industrial look myself although I'm not immune to sleek elegance either. Two bits of gear I own really do it for me, my Classé Audio DR5 and Delphonica Vallhalla One pre and integrated amps:

Definitely doing it for me, Dave. That preamp is pure hifi porn! You take a mean pic too. I also agree with Paul. eS14s are beautiful. Such elegant proportions and a real mean look too.

[Andrew B]

I've seen someone advertising a Bow Wizard. I had no idea they looked that hot! The McIntosh turntable is something I'd love to own too. I really like their amps a lot. Another regretful sale :(

[southall-1998]

Can't post any pics but here is my little list.

Mordaunt Short MS10i/20i. Always liked their distinctive looks (Grills removed)

Royd Minstrel. Another distinctive looking speaker!!

Bose 802 (PA speakers) Odd looking things, liked their looks since childhood!!

Quad ESL 63.

JPW mini monitor.

Leak Stereo 20.

Exposure X/XV.

NVA AP10P.

Meridian 206.

Townshend Rock Elite/Reference.

Plenty more but can't remember atm :)

[pjdowns]

Definitely doing it for me, Dave. That preamp is pure hifi porn! You take a mean pic too. I also agree with Paul. eS14s are beautiful. Such elegant proportions and a real mean look too.

Yep - that's my view Andrew... they look like they mean business... wifey hates them but I made it clear when we first got together that if it were a choice between getting worse but prettier speakers or her, she'd lose every time...

[pjdowns]

Mordaunt Short MS10i/20i. Always liked their distinctive looks (Grills removed) - Totally Agree, lovely looking speakers

Royd Minstrel. Another distinctive looking speaker!! - hmm I kinda know where you are coming from but I wouldn't personally put them on my list

Exposure X/XV. - Hell yeah :)

NVA AP10P - Yep, very pretty :)

Meridian 206 - Easily a yes!



Sorry don't get the Quad thing, I think they are awful looking (and sounding) speakers!

[Andrew B]

I really like the Rock and Exposures too. A lot of the stuff I tend to hoard these days is down to the design. I'd love to have a museum for all this stuff one day. British hifi is choc full of design statements. Quad stuff is utterly gorgeous too. Ny mate had a mint 33/FM3/303 just the other week. I swear it looks more contemporary now than ever. I do like the 66 system too though.

[southall-1998]

What's wrong with the Minstrel's, Paul?

Oh yes, I also like the look of the '''old school''' TDL's....Reference Standards :drool:

[Thing Fish]

Everything I used to own audiowise was black, black, black...!!!

Now all my audio equipment is lovely lovely wood except my Croft amps. Which I can/have to live with as they sound so good.

[killie99]

http://stuartlittlejohn.f2s.com/ear_1.jpg

[Andrew B]

Black ash has always been a pet hate, even in the 80s. Quite why anyone wanted to spray black paint over such an attractive wood is beyond me. Some electronics look ok in black, but I like variety too. The little Tma3 amp looked gorgeous in blue and boring in black imo

[Joe]

All my hifi in both systems is black. I mostly listen to it with my eyes shut.

[Andrew B]

I remember enjoying listening to teak Kans better than black ones. Mind you, I've had 41 pairs of Kans and they all have their own character. My first pair were the best of the lot. i sold them and missed them, then spent the next twenty plus years trying every incarnation of the Kan. none matched that first pair, which were shipped to Germany. Nevertheless, I still consistently seem to get more enjoyment from the wood finish ones. I guess I must just be in a happier mood when listening. It's always put me off black Isobariks!

[Magna Audio]

http://i727.photobucket.com/albums/ww272/speedysteve7/hifi/Cessaro.jpg (http://s727.photobucket.com/user/speedysteve7/media/hifi/Cessaro.jpg.html)

However with the bass horn array they are something like €260K.
Guess I'll never hear them to be able to compare my system with them (mine has deeper bass hehe).
Plus the general consensus is that the tweeter should be above the all critical upper mid so that is at ear level;)

[pjdowns]

What's wrong with the Minstrel's, Paul?

Oh yes, I also like the look of the '''old school''' TDL's....Reference Standards :drool:

The Minstrel's are ok but I like cleaner looking speaker cones.

TDL Reference are good :)

[Andrew B]

In one of those modernist "statement" houses, they would look incredible.

[pjdowns]

Black ash has always been a pet hate, even in the 80s. Quite why anyone wanted to spray black paint over such an attractive wood is beyond me. Some electronics look ok in black, but I like variety too. The little Tma3 amp looked gorgeous in blue and boring in black imo

I think the ES14's look better in Black by some way.

[pjdowns]

All my hifi in both systems is black. I mostly listen to it with my eyes shut.

:lol:

[BTH K10A]

Kolster Brandes Pre & EL84 monoblocs

Simple elegance where form and function are in harmony

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/KGrHqYOKj4E3Li3UPNeBN5gG-seJ_12_zpsdfc49e3c.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/emttsd15/media/KGrHqYOKj4E3Li3UPNeBN5gG-seJ_12_zpsdfc49e3c.jpg.html)

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/KGrHqNhsE3H57rtBN5gHET9g_12_zps6e43a480.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/emttsd15/media/KGrHqNhsE3H57rtBN5gHET9g_12_zps6e43a480.jpg.html)



Or for a more modern amp how about the Line Magnetic’s LM-219 IA. Retro steam punk looks. I maybe would have preferred a hammer finish faceplate but it still looks good

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f120/emttsd15/IMG_6492-small_zps226a7d1b.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/emttsd15/media/IMG_6492-small_zps226a7d1b.jpg.html)

[pjdowns]

I remember enjoying listening to teak Kans better than black ones. Mind you, I've had 41 pairs of Kans and they all have their own character. My first pair were the best of the lot. i sold them and missed them, then spent the next twenty plus years trying every incarnation of the Kan. none matched that first pair, which were shipped to Germany. Nevertheless, I still consistently seem to get more enjoyment from the wood finish ones. I guess I must just be in a happier mood when listening. It's always put me off black Isobariks!

You've had 41 pairs of Kan's??

[Andrew B]

Yep, that first pair were something else. Every pair I tried after that were just not the same. linn revised the design many times, so I went through trying every incarnation. I even had a pair that were only ten pairs apart in serial number, but still no joy.

I've outgrown Kans now but I still seem to buy them every so often just in case I find the magic again :) I even watch German EBay lol.

[Barry]

We've been here before: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?17750-Eye-Fi

[Andrew B]

Some amazing shots there. That Brinkmann arm is a beauty as are those Gale 401s.

[synsei]

We've been here before: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?17750-Eye-Fi

This is the techno remix Barry feauturing AndyB on the decks... :D

[Andrew B]

Well that's an empty club and two broken stylii then!

It is cool, I guess, to revisit some topics every so often. Some of the pics in the last one should be saved permanently for posterity. Often on forums, the pics are really somewhere else like Photobucket. Once a user deletes the original to make space, they are lost forever. Often, finding a pic of a classic item isn't easy. If I ever do get that hifi museum I dream of, it would be fab to have a proper Gallery too. These things are literally "treasures" to me and many others.

[Barry]

:lol:

[Barry]

Well that's an empty club and two broken stylii then!

It is cool, I guess, to revisit some topics every so often. Some of the pics in the last one should be saved permanently for posterity. Often on forums, the pics are really somewhere else like Photobucket. Once a user deletes the original to make space, they are lost forever. Often, finding a pic of a classic item isn't easy. If I ever do get that hifi museum I dream of, it would be fab to have a proper Gallery too. These things are literally "treasures" to me and many others.

Yes - apologies for the missing images. I could probably find replacements, but maybe not of the quality of those that have disappeared.

I believe we do have a 'gallery' of past components here on AoS. Will try and find it for you.

[Andrew B]

Cheers, Barry. I really hate the fact that lots of this gear will probably disappear one day, or be so beat up, nobody will remember it.

[Rare Bird]

Two best looking amps ever Ferrograph 'F307' & Quad '33'

:sofa:

[walpurgis]

I always thought the old chrome fronted Burmesters looked very nice.

[Spectral Morn]

Always loved this turntable then got one and I still love it :cool:

The Oracle Delphi MK4 :)

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/LondonSept07Hi-FiShowandHomehi-f-4.jpg (http://s549.photobucket.com/user/davros124/media/LondonSept07Hi-FiShowandHomehi-f-4.jpg.html)

Only slight issue with mine is a few white spots have developed on the platter just along the edge where the mat is bonded.


Regards Neil

[Andrew B]

Still on my shopping list, along with a Voyd :)

[Spectral Morn]

Still on my shopping list, along with a Voyd :)

I prefer the mk4 to the newer decks which just look too chunky. The irony is that Oracle now have adopted the damping dash pots that Project had many years ago on their somewhat Delphi looking turntable.


Regards Neil

[stewart]

[QUOTE=istari_knight;472467]A few of my favorite lookers that spring to mind...

CD player: BOW Wizard

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/BowZZ-8-bmp-cropped_zps00195cb1.jpg
/QUOTE]

That's a bow zz eight. The wizards a sliver one.

[Spectral Morn]

[QUOTE=istari_knight;472467]A few of my favorite lookers that spring to mind...

CD player: BOW Wizard

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/BowZZ-8-bmp-cropped_zps00195cb1.jpg
/QUOTE]

That's a bow zz eight. The wizards a sliver one.

Apparently there were lots of reliability issues with these Bow players - or so I have been told.


Regards Neil

[istari_knight]

[QUOTE=istari_knight;472467]A few of my favorite lookers that spring to mind...

CD player: BOW Wizard

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c129/istari_knight9/BowZZ-8-bmp-cropped_zps00195cb1.jpg
/QUOTE]

That's a bow zz eight. The wizards a sliver one.

Doh :doh:

I'm not so keen on the silver one's.

[chelsea]

LP 12
Naim black & chrome.
Ls3/5a

[Rare Bird]

[QUOTE=stewart;472633]

Doh :doh:

I'm not so keen on the silver one's.

The wife like those Chrome Aura 'Note' CD players jobbies..

[Andrei]

Two bits of gear I own really do it for me, my Classé Audio DR5 and Delphonica Vallhalla One pre and integrated amps:

Very sexy. I love the look of tubes. On a related point I wonder why some manufacturers of valve amps have the controls and transformers in the front? I could not bring myself to buy a valve amp that hid its most attractive feature.

[Cotlake]

Surely the aesthetic image of a product should be secondary to the sound it is capable of presenting. For those of us that care about aesthetics, it's a balancing thing. I am a DIYer and personally I don't really care what the kit looks like, but her indoors has to tolerate me putting my stuff in the living room. She thinks all my kit is a blot on the landscape, but me making it reasonably pleasing on the eye allows it to exist there. Regardless of appearance, I will always continue to choose my kit according to function and secondarily consider image. Thereafter, the need to accommodate the good lady might slightly interfere with my absolute preference. Short of divorce, what more can you do?

[Andrew B]

Always liked these Rational Audio products. Never had any yet:

http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac54/mrcartmenez/Hifi/image-56.jpg (http://s885.photobucket.com/user/mrcartmenez/media/Hifi/image-56.jpg.html)
http://i885.photobucket.com/albums/ac54/mrcartmenez/Hifi/image-57.jpg (http://s885.photobucket.com/user/mrcartmenez/media/Hifi/image-57.jpg.html)

[Barry]

I always thought the old chrome fronted Burmesters looked very nice.

Too much 'bling' for my taste. Also I dislike script style legends, especially if curved as the Burmester logo is.