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

My Zesto Leto is sexy as hell,  but I bought it because of the rear panel

@ghdprentice +1 

As a group the people that can afford high end audio components we dictate through purchases what manufacturers can sell profitably.

As I like to say, we vote with our wallets. 

Visual appearance is probably more of a factor with speakers than with electronics, which are often tucked away in a rack or cabinet. 

Some manufacturers believe sound and value are more important than looks to many including I. Wyred4sound is a perfect example of that and I thank them.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say. 

Aside from Preamps and Amps:

Did Apple designers ever get into Audio Equipment?

Sony made some very nice PCs and Laptops, their Audio not as elegant it seems.

Recently I did searches on hifishark for 'Tandberg', and 'Bang & Olufson' and 'Bang and Olufson', some very cool designs I was and was not aware of.

Luxman has had a simple, practical, still elegant design look over the years

"Italian Speakers' yields some beauties