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
baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,387 posts
 

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.

dinov's avatar
dinov
825 posts
 

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

elliottbnewcombjr
5,304 posts
 

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

elliottbnewcombjr
5,304 posts
 

Eventually, the better it sounds, the better it looks!

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,192 posts
 

Audiophiles discussing whether audio components are pretty and/or sexy -- is this a rejected SNL skit?

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