Love it, or Hate it ? (wood trim)

It depends.

USA.

Here's something to fuel the fire both figuratively and possibly literally if I don't like the way it sounds. I'll be receiving this preamp in a couple weeks:

http://www.exemplaraudio.com/exception.htm

I liked that it looks like a recently washed ashore piece of driftwood. Funky!

On a general note I DO like the way some components looked in the late '60s to early '70s with the chassis surrounded by a walnut case.

Have had them... not my favorite, but wouldn't keep me from buying gear I liked, so I guess I am a disliker...

Ahh, man. My first receiver, a Yamaha CR-820...that was a beauty. Brushed aluminum faceplate, large knobs, soft green lamp light dial, and the feel of wood, a darker-than-amber color; rich and warm to the touch and to the eye. This receiver and the various amps and receivers that followed-a Marantz 1040 integrated, a Kenwood something-or-other, some big ol' honkin' Pioneer receiver that weighed a ton, even a super-styled, sci-fi-hi-fi Bang & Olufsen 1900 with its faux dark cherry laminate- all of these groovy old pieces made me happy to spin record after record every day, lovin' the music and beam with pride as I knew that I had something special 'cause it looked, well, expensive- like furniture but better! On these dreamy old pieces I say- YES! to wood. As for the new stuff, those tube amps comin' out of China and Italy, well, not so much. No.
Cheers from Austin, Texas!

Guess I have to say "love" - I've often found that when faced with the prospect of getting some trim, I really just can't help but getting wood.

Zaikesman - LOL!