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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.
128x128halcro
dertonarm
1,042 posts
 
Dear Thuchan, I was referring to Henry's initial post ....... and Dover's comment on the outlook of the arm wand is a bit disrespectful, but not to far fetched (okay - the frostbite banana is heavy stuff !).
I know that both - you and Henry do cherish your Cobra for both the sound and the unusual look.
But it is retro style looking - even if there may be a few good reasons for the composition and design of the arm wand.
Cheers,
D.
dertonarm
1,042 posts
 
Dear Isochronism, I know you as a man of taste and aesthetics alike.
I have no doubt, that the Cobra (don't think so of the Copperhead) will have it's place in audio history.
It won't end like the FR-66s with a much higher price tag than new 25 years after being discontinued, but it will not be forgotten.
No mistakes here - It is a good tonearm.
Better in many sonic respects than most do think.
Cheers,
D.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Well there are obvious problems in describing 'the shock
of the new' with the old predicates. Say: retro, Art Deco, Bakelite Telephone handle, etc. In the countries in which horses and iron were known the first seen locomotive was called the 'iron horse'. So no wonder there are those who
claim: there is nothing new under the son. However 'old' and 'new' are supposed to be different.

Regards,
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
No No Deartonarm, don`t get me wrong. You should know me. I can stand different opinions and I do respect other people view. It is not that I own this "ugly Telephone handle" (BTW does not work that way). What sometimes drives me crazy is if people are talking about technical implications but have obviously no glue about the basics of the unit. If I don`t know I don`t talk about it. If I don`t have my own experience with it I may address that I am guessing (this helps assessing for other people).

So let`s compromise - it was only about looks...

best @ fun only
dertonarm
1,042 posts
 
Dear Thuchan, I know that you are one of the most generous, open-minded and modest man I've meet in Audio and I know that tolerance is high on your agenda.
And you know that I have quite some respect for the Cobra - something I can't say about that many tonearms.
Yes - let's agree that it is about looks ...
Cheers,
D.
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