2. amps-preamps
  3. 177328-155632

Many higher end preamps are dated and ugly, why is this?

Conrad Johnson, BAT, VTL are all very good preamplifiers, they are dated and just ugly.  Audio research is a prettier amplifier but it's not very well regarded due to it sounding more like a solid state, ie. Not really a tube preamp despite all those internal lightbulbs.

Cheaper preamps can be more pretty. Schitt makes a pretty preamp for about $1000. People like pretty.

D'Agostino by many is viewed as very attractive but kind of weird. 

jumia
bigkidz
3,381 posts
 

maybe you should open up a design studio fabrication and go into business if it is that easy

 

Those preamps are nothing special either IMO

 

mazian's avatar
mazian
396 posts
 

The word Aesthetix says it all

pwayland
82 posts
 
In my mind, albeit right or wrong line stage with lowest possible noise pre is the only way to go. The harmonic distortion of tubes, although, I understand sounds good to some, for me dulls the accuracy.. maybe that's needed for some speakers. Dunno. I listen to Dunlavy's. Just my personal experience. I'm sure others may beg to differ.
bpoletti
1,552 posts
 

If the manufacturers sell out their production run, why would they change their design?

scott22
260 posts
 

Pretty is as pretty does! 

Or

Amps got to sound good to look good and the amp looks marvelous. 

 

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