2. analog
  3. 1316775735

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
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.
hifihvn
943 posts
 
Has anyone here bought the arm (Cobra) because its looks got their attention and thought, I'm buying it because I really like or love its looks, and if it performs great, it's a keeper?
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
As in Hans Christian Andersen's ugly duckling. It turns into a Swan when it's needle touches the vinyl. (I like them)!!
More to discover