Most Architectural Turntable/Best Looking?

Shasta, could not agree more about the natural Ash. One of the things I like about some older and current modern furniture from Scandinavia is their use of light/natural woods..Ash, Beech, White Oak and others.

I worked at a hi-fi store in the days of the 50H and sold the heck out of them...of course with V15 Shure or ADC XLM...God gotta quit...I'm starting to sound very old..to myself!

Best, Jim

Whatjd-
The fact I live on Ashwood Drive of course has nothing to do with anything. But in looking at everything from natural finished guitars to hardwood flooring, and excluding the Exotic hardwoods, good 'ol Ash is my reigning favorite.

To your question- appearance is a large factor in my decisions. These days, I'd say that just having a TT installed is bound to draw attention. I have to deal with enough "what's that?" questions that I lean to a slightly low profile appearance.

IMHO, especially in this digital age, *all turntables are lovely and make quite a statement, especially alongside rows of LP's racked up. I'd exclude a thrift shop BIC or Garrard changer in that picture though. My VPI 19 is now so humdrum looking that no one really sees it. I'd say a TNT or an Aries would be the upper limit of making a stement.

The old Sau Win turntable would get my vote. If you like machine shop looks the Rockport would be hard to beat.

My old 50h is still in the closet. I really liked its square/cubical motif. Back when it was new, one of the fanciest looking turntables on the market was the gold-toned Empire with integral arm and imposing looking wooden base. Does anybody else remember?

The Empire, of course. It struck me at the time as looking a bit to expensive and foo-foo vs. the 50H. I remember where I was when I saw the ad for it in a mag.

It took me 5 seconds to remember the 50H had (I think) an ELAC cart.

The times were simpler; the perhaps thousands of sides and cuts played w/o any clue or worry about soundstaging or power cords.