Ugliest Component of the Year 2024!

Ugly or beautiful, I don't care. I just checked the price of the Mc CD player, $5,000.

I am using Musical Fidelity CD player ($750 used, 21 yr old). Sounds still wonderful. Maybe with help of nice speakers, Vienna Mahler.

Below are my opinion, just my opinion.

Performance: Mc $5,000  99/100       Musical F. $750   95/100

3% difference is barely dicernable in terms of real listening environment.

However, in terms of visuality or possession satisfaction:

Mc $5,000   99.9/100          Musical F. $750   20-30/100

So, I can save some money. So, I could/can donate to Oregon Humane Society, where many dogs and cats are wait for help ($$$).

For me it’s a tie between McIntosh and D’Agostino.  

If the component looks like it fell out of an ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down, then you know you got ugly! On the other hand, a thing of beauty is a joy forever. The look of a component has a big influence (psychological) as to what we may think of its cosmetics and performance.

Beat this for ugly.  I dare you!

https://chordelectronics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Ultima-Pre-Front-900x675.jpg