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Why are modern arms so ugly?

OK.......you're going to say it's subjective and you really looove the look of modern tonearms?
But the great tonearms of the Golden Age are genuinely beautiful in the way that most Ferraris are generally agreed to be beautiful.
Look at the Fidelity Research FR-64s and FR-66s? Look at the SAEC 308 series and the SAEC 407/23? Look at the Micro Seiki MA-505? Even the still audacious Dynavector DV-505/507?
But as an architect who's lifetime has revolved around aesthetics.......I am genuinely offended by the design of most modern arms. And don't give me the old chestnut....'Form follows Function' as a rational for ugliness. These current 'monsters' will never become 'Classics' no matter how many 'rave reviews' they might temporarily assemble.
128x128halcro
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I had a FR-66 and thought it was okay. I guess I'm just taken by the close tolerance machining of the Ikeda and, of course, the sound.
gmercer
193 posts
 
10.5 is a future classic. Gorgeous in person. It has a very precise look and feel to it.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
And then there's the Triplanar.......something the Soviets would launch against some Balkan uprising.
And this fashionable separation of VTA tower and arm is responsible for a whole brood of monsters.

Hahaha :)


Remember........classics are always beautiful.

True. 

But most of the modern turntables aesthetically are perfect match for those ugly modern tonearms, maybe this is the reason why tonearms are so ugly ?  




tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
the arm on the new technics 1200G looks very much vintage and its a fantastic arm.
theo1124's avatar
theo1124
40 posts
 
I disagree with chackster about the tri-planar arm, I think that they are beautifully designed arms that deliver world-class sound.  but that is my opinion. They are designed and built with a watchmaker's precision. Each piece of each arm is made by hand by Tri Mai who is a meticulous craftsman.
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