Ugliest Component of the Year 2024!


I realize beauty is in the eye of the beholder but this one should ranks in top 10.

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/cd-players/MCD85

I always loved the MC275 and its predecessors but this new trend which has extended to MC830 is a bit of head scratcher.

Feel free to add your pick…no judgements!

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@thecarpathian In spirit with the topic at hand, last I checked Krell was trending in the wrong direction in regards to aesthetics.

Last Krell products I have considered owning are from over 10 years ago. Aesthetics are a factor for me personally.

I’ve always liked Krell when I hear it. Clean and detailed and not fatiguing . Hope they can hang in there. I do think they need to get with the times both in form and function.

 

Indeed. Apologies for the off topic question. Going to start a thread and ask.

There is a lot of needlessly expensive and certainly needlessly tinsel looking equipment out there. Guaranteed the majority of it is made cheaper with the price way up, they have to do something hoping to bells and whistles into peoples Wallets. Not picking on Mc alone but that’s a classic example of stuff that’s starting to look like junk. Bose will make it better…fat chance. If I had to own Mc as with others new or used, I’d put it in a fan cooled cupboard I designed and close the door !!  Goes hand in hand with the Gimmicky looking cords. Then there’s the Tekton look… designed to give you that divorce. 

This is an ugly version of Mac gear. I agree with you. A Kalista CD Player and Shanling CD Player are the opposite as classy modern. Jadis, Goldmund, older Woo Audio, etc. are all examples of attractive CD Players.

For another less attractive but better than the Mac is Wadax Studio CD Player and their Reference DAC is more like a science fiction monster than a audiophile jewelry above as stated previously, giant boombox.

I agree that the Yanko Design is in both poor taste and ridiculous just to be a media sales choice. I disagree concerning the Vivid speakers as my wife and I feel they are attractive but not up to Von Schweikert sound quality.

@kbmr Goldmund Apologue speakers are UGLY, worse than unattractive Mac.

@tunehead My friend has a Von Langa Berlin but this model is ruined by the white horns on a black monolith tower. Just plain black would at least be unobtrusive.

@tony1954 Well, this Tekton 1812 isn't pretty/obnoxious actually.  Reminds me of some similar Mac speakers of old.