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Why are modern arms so ugly?

OK.......you're going to say it's subjective and you really looove the look of modern tonearms?
But the great tonearms of the Golden Age are genuinely beautiful in the way that most Ferraris are generally agreed to be beautiful.
Look at the Fidelity Research FR-64s and FR-66s? Look at the SAEC 308 series and the SAEC 407/23? Look at the Micro Seiki MA-505? Even the still audacious Dynavector DV-505/507?
But as an architect who's lifetime has revolved around aesthetics.......I am genuinely offended by the design of most modern arms. And don't give me the old chestnut....'Form follows Function' as a rational for ugliness. These current 'monsters' will never become 'Classics' no matter how many 'rave reviews' they might temporarily assemble.
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rockitman's avatar
rockitman
417 posts
 
I find the Reed's and Durand arms stunning ! While I'm sure the Continuum Cobra is about as good as it get's performance wise, it looks like the male reproductive organ. Certianly not beautiful...LOL
In any event, I buy on performance not bling/looks
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I'm with you, ugly. Old "S" shaped arms did look pretty cool.
salectric
747 posts
 
I agree with a lot of your examples. I have a Triplanar and it is pretty ugly, I'll admit. However, I have a Schick 12" and it looks beautiful to my eye. I also liked the appearance of the Moerch DP-6 with 12" wand that I had a while back.
restock
831 posts
 
I don't know, but I would prefer the looks of the Triplanar to the DaVinci Grandezza - gold and wood reminds me too much of 1970s stationwagons...
cwlondon
1,210 posts
 

I am bracing myself for the inevitable chorus from the who cares what it looks like crowd.

Safe to assume there are no architects among them.
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