The Cyclicality of Black Vs Silver

when the component is just a box, i prefer black. when the component has exposed tubes and the like, i prefer the solid silver faceplate. kinda weird, huh?

I think its all component dependent and what you are used to seeing. Certain products have certain colors, just like certain teams. Minn Vikings look way better in purple jerseys, the Cowboys look way better wearing white jerseys. Whenever you see Dallas in dark uniforms or Minn in white, you always think to yourself that they are going to lose because they are wearing the wrong jerseys.

Likewise, cj tube preamps in black, would probably sound awful. Old Yamaha analog recr's in black probably would sound awful too. Sansui AU-717 & TU717 in silver (could be cool, but that's a violation too). Spectral in black is just plain wrong...Counterpoint gave you your choice and looked good in either color, but did one color sound better than the other? Meitner in Oak - I'd bet if Mapleshade listened to Meitner amps in Oak or Maple, they would conclude that Meitners sound much better in rosewood. Motif in black just wouldn't look right either...Threshold did both black and silver and I'll bet their silver faceplactes sounded better than their black ones. Adcom in white sold for more money than Adcom in black and I believe sonically it was far superior as well just as the Vikings play better in purple than they do in white...Perreaux in black, old Hafler in silver...we could go on and on here....any other violations when it comes to team colors or component colors? The 76ers in black was another violation too...

I prefer black on components because it seems less obtrusive visually to me. Absolute Sound had an interesting article back in the 80's about the color of components in connection with how we perceive their sound, vide, do black components have a "dark" sound, or do gold colored components have a "warm" sound. Interesting stuff. And to Lou whose response is above mine, when I took a quick look at your handle, I thought you were Greek until it dawned on me what your handle really meant-lol!! (Laughing at my own inadequacy, not about nationality!)--Mrmitch

My current system is pretty much all black. Except my speakers, they have a cherry wood finisgh.

My prior system was pretty much all silver. At the time I never seemed to mind the silver but now much prefer the black. For me I like the subdued, understated look that black provides.

An exception is that I like the Conrad Johnson colors.

I like my audio components the same way I like my women.... strong and black! No, wait..... that's how I like my COFFEE. (nevermind, I need a cup)