When have you traded sound quality for looks?

Posted by: Sneaky SNAIC on 15 October 2015

Many "what do I buy?" threads seem to get very technical w.r.t. hi-fi components...going on for page after page of hard core discussion.  Everyone listing their past of trying this or that...brand names are thrown around.  Oh the gut-twisting, sweat, tears and angst produced as the OP decides.

 

Sometimes at the end of all this human suffering the choice comes down to what looks best, trumping all sound quality arguments.  From an avalanche of logic and experience, comes a simple decision based on visual appeal and fit with the home décor.

 

Many hard core audiophiles seem to scoff at this (likely Dave or Hutter owners), but in the end this bizarre event occurs on a regular basis.  Does the look and feel in the room affect the experience of hi-fi?

 

When has your ear been over-ruled by Feng Shui?

 

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by Richard Dane

I must confess that I have bought a bit of hifi on the basis of looks alone; a Michell Gyrodec. It was a Perspex cathedral of vinyl replay.  Only trouble was, it took a series of upgrades to "Gorbe" spec to really come good and there were still aspects of my old LP12 that I missed.  In the end, gorgeous though it was, it had to go.  However, I reckon the silver/ Perspex full Gyrodec is still the most beautiful deck made.

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by karlosTT
Originally Posted by Richard Dane:

I must confess that I have bought a bit of hifi on the basis of looks alone; a Michell Gyrodec. It was a Perspex cathedral of vinyl replay.  Only trouble was, it took a series of upgrades to "Gorbe" spec to really come good and there were still aspects of my old LP12 that I missed.  In the end, gorgeous though it was, it had to go.  However, I reckon the silver/ Perspex full Gyrodec is still the most beautiful deck made.

Totally second that Richard.  A thing of utter beauty.....

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by Zeny

Looks and build quality are very important to me

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by TOBYJUG

I really like the look of DarTZeel and Tony Stark designed Iron Man HiFi.

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by feeling_zen
When I was getting into Hifi and choosing between Naim and Linn in the mid 90s I was just starting to freelance in graphic design and the Olive Naim kit to me seemed like it was knocked together in a garage. I wouldn't say I chose on looks alone but it played a part. The more compact and elegant Linn was always going to win over Naim for me at that time. Visually an original Linn Majik vs a Nait3 wins hands down. It was less buying Linn for the looks and more NOT buying Naim because it was ugly. Felt that way for the next 10 years which was as long as the graphic design career lasted.

I like the fact now that the Naim aesthetic is the hifi equivalent of a 30 foot high statue of Stalin with a swinging pair to boot. Things change. The current range is pleasant but the old stuff doesn't bother me anymore either.
Posted on: 16 October 2015 by karlosTT
Originally Posted by TOBYJUG:

I really like the look of DarTZeel and Tony Stark designed Iron Man HiFi.

each to their own, Toby.....  ;-)

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by Karl

I too bought a Gyrodec on looks alone, as soon as i saw it for the first time in 1988 I knew I had to have one.

Unfortunately I let it go last year as it had been unused for a long time, got more money for it than i paid for it which was nice.

Karl

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by Huge

No.

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by davidf
Originally Posted by feeling_zen:
When I was getting into Hifi and choosing between Naim and Linn in the mid 90s I was just starting to freelance in graphic design and the Olive Naim kit to me seemed like it was knocked together in a garage. I wouldn't say I chose on looks alone but it played a part. The more compact and elegant Linn was always going to win over Naim for me at that time. Visually an original Linn Majik vs a Nait3 wins hands down. It was less buying Linn for the looks and more NOT buying Naim because it was ugly. Felt that way for the next 10 years which was as long as the graphic design career lasted.

I like the fact now that the Naim aesthetic is the hifi equivalent of a 30 foot high statue of Stalin with a swinging pair to boot. Things change. The current range is pleasant but the old stuff doesn't bother me anymore either.

I have all olive on maple fraim- I love the look of the olive- industrial design at it`s best

Form following function, nothing wasted or decorative. Simple elegance.

But that`s just me... david

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by Mr Underhill

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I LOVE the look of my EAR534, especially when the valves are glowing; my wife thinks it is a pile of industrial looking junk ......still stayed.

 

M

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by Steve J

As I have a dedicated listening room looks are not so important, but if I had to incorporate the system into my lounge I wouldn't have the beast I have now and would probably follow a similar path as HH. I will always ensure any house I buy will have room for my system and record collection though so it's rather academic.

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by rjstaines

When have you traded sound quality for looks?

 

 

Answer:  When I married my second wife.

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by p.

A SEE Revolver Turntable I bought in the 90s - still like its simple design, although I could not live with the rosewood finish nowadays (some pictures can be found here: http://www.vinylengine.com/tur...68&image_id=6288 )

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by Chris Dolan
Originally Posted by Ricky Dasler:

Oh, and I find my little Nait 2 equally as pleasing on the eye as my NAP500..

That's a bit unkind on the Nait 2 Ricky  - I think mine is gorgeous 

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by Sneaky SNAIC

Haven't had to make a decision yet for something ugly vs something sounding good, but I sure have moved stuff around in the room a helluva lot.  I have turned down some cheap (but solidly built) LP storage boxes because they are blonde (entire room is dark wood). 

 

Thankfully the Naim gear looks fine...and I used to not be crazy about the olive and chrome bumper but now I like them.  It's amazing how something that sounds good, looks prettier.

 

That said I could have gone with Hutter, put a Dave on it, and gone completely the other direction.

Posted on: 17 October 2015 by Mr Mole

NEVER

 

 

 

The End