Ugliest Component of the Year 2024!

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.

Ugly or beautiful, I don't care. I just checked the price of the Mc CD player, $5,000.

I am using Musical Fidelity CD player ($750 used, 21 yr old). Sounds still wonderful. Maybe with help of nice speakers, Vienna Mahler.

Below are my opinion, just my opinion.

Performance: Mc $5,000  99/100       Musical F. $750   95/100

3% difference is barely dicernable in terms of real listening environment.

However, in terms of visuality or possession satisfaction:

Mc $5,000   99.9/100          Musical F. $750   20-30/100

So, I can save some money. So, I could/can donate to Oregon Humane Society, where many dogs and cats are wait for help ($$$).