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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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geoch's avatar
geoch
354 posts
 
I also like the 12" Reed 3Q but I prefer the Centroid's form. Aesthetically it seems more in purpose and less fancy. It can manage to hide some of it's revelations in a seemingly plain design. These days I have the Pluto 9A/Decca REF and SAEC WE-308SX/Condor XCM with the Zonotone Z-SHELL 10 headshell. These two pairs are better integrated in my system than Pluto 9A/Colibri XPP and Reed/Goldfinger in the past. I'm more on the MC side but I can not accept the missing of azimuth adjustability on SAEC. This is a serious issue with vintage arms and one reason that I'm missing the Reed. It's control of azimuth is on a par with Pluto (at the headshell). A really great arm but after living with the Reed I can say it is not my favorite nor in terms of use or at sight, neither on the sound matching with my set-up. I've get over this arm really quick. So far only the Pluto has passed the test of time after 15 years in use. What are you guys doing to overcome the azimuth issue?
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Hi Geoch, I thought you decided to grow 'Porporitas' or something and that your new philosophy of life was the modesty of an Greek farmer. But obviously Onasis is still there in your head. Mentioning explict the Pluto 9A, the Goldfinger, the Condor ,the Colibri, etc. Glad to see such consitency qua behaviour as well that at least some Greek are doing well.
geoch's avatar
geoch
354 posts
 
Well Nandric, .....allways with a good word in your mouth!
I have visitors now, but ... I'll be back!
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Hi Geoch, 'with a good word in your mouth?' Those are as far as I know writen 'words' usualy called 'arguments'.
'I'll be back' reminds me of some Austrian with an terrible
German accent. Only in the USA can such a person make a political carrer. Not to mention the former president.
Do you need my address in Holland? Otherwise you will have
no idea where to come 'back'? I am an Serbian warrior only
equaled by Dertonarms predecessors who defited the Romans.
So stay in Greece, you have problems enough at home.
dertonarm
1,042 posts
 
Dear Nandric, it was rather an Austrian with a terrible austrian-styrian accent ... even better in the 1st sequel ...
Peace on earth - and within the ECC...
Cheers,
D.
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