Any favorites for cosmetics/design/how a product looks?


This is simply a wonderment of what other "items, things" you like the looks of beyond audio products? In audio I have always liked the C.J ART pre-amp and my tastes in autos/arcitecture are somewhat biased to Art Deco, etc.  Just curious as to what other "things" attract you from a cosmetic viewpoint.  Old Packards, the Crysler Building, early Gruen watches and more....

jusam

I like odd sized gear, Brit shoe box sized integrated amps & separates, triangular cassette decks like the one from Yamaha & Nakamichi or top loading ones like the early Tandberg cassette decks, The 200 series of Meridian gear, boxy CD players like Proceed PCD2.  Fi X & Y and most tube amps with their tubes exposed.  Also the tall cassette decks like the early Akai or computer keyboard Aiwa ADF series.

 

Additionally, a stack of Perreaux, Tandberg, or Revox gear is eye catching as well as is a stack of ads Atelier.   

@deadhead1000 

I haven’t thought about this for so long I’m kind of astounded I remember! I also had a Shure V15 III along with an Empire 2002 (bought with the TT) and a couple of Stanton 681EEE’s which I thought sounded the best. Haha, what a blast from the past! Thanks for the conversation, I really enjoyed reliving these memories!

@bslon 

I also had a Nak, died a few years back though. What cartridge do you use on the Empire?  A friend had the Empire way back when and used a Shure V15 III, I myself had to settle for a Pioneer PL-530, the Empire was way too expensive for me back then, and a Shure M95E. 

Funny how I remember my first….all the best to you. 

@deadhead1000 Back then my friends all had Marantz receivers and mostly JBL speakers. I was an outlier with the Sansui and ESS’s. I miss the displays of those receivers, intricate and cool! They got a lot of us, like me and you, hooked on audio.

@bslon 

ahhhhh, now that system sounds good just looking at it! Although I was a Marantz receiver guy myself, nothing wrong with the Sansui. 

Once when I was on vacation "up North", I was in a bar/restaurant/club and this guy started to do a "stand up" routine.....it turned out to be Steve Martin.

Just found out (Google) why Bonnie Raitt was playing (unannounced) @ the Airliner on Friday March 29, 1974 with no cover charge.

She was a backup musician for Muddy Waters who played Hancher Auditorium the following evening (Saturday).

I didn't see MW, but I did see BR.

 

DeKay

 

I don't recall the original Airliner serving food, but maybe.

Think a housemate's mother may have taken us to George's.

I didn't have the money to eat out then and though I didn't drink much either I would go to Gabe and Walkers and play table soccer for drinks if I had the urge.

I sometimes have daydreams of moving back to Iowa City, but the reality is that I can no longer handle the Winter weather (the main reason I moved to CA in 1977).

 

DeKay

DeKay, my only experience with the Airliner has been as a customer...but going back Donnely's and others come to mind...and the original Georges Gourmet with the Golden Que in the back. 

 

 

My black, piano gloss Usher CP-6311 floor standers with the cherry wood side panels are very handsome; the simple, elegant design of my Clearaudio Concept Wood turntable with it’s baltic birch, constrained layer plinth and Satisfy Carbon Fiber tonearm is also a looker; and my fully restored Marantz 2285b receiver with brushed aluminum faceplate, cool Davison Spencerian font, sexy blue-on-black LED backlighting meters/tuner dial display, and beautiful walnut case is quite easy on the eyes.

JD:

Happy to see you here.

If you are considering going back into the workforce "The Airliner" is currently looking for a kitchen manager.

 

DeKay


I always liked the looks of my simple ‘70’s system.
Empire, Sansui. Not shown, Nakamichi, ESS.

@secretguy - the Empire coffee table speakers were also beautiful, but I can’t recall anyone ever saying they’ve even seen one. Whoever was design those old Empire products had real insight into how products should look  IMO.  

 

 

I like form follows function. Empire 598 turntable, Range Rover Sport, Rolex Oyster stainless, Gibson 335 guitar. Simple elegance.

Michell Engineering GyroDec TT

Gale GS401A loudspeakers 

McIntosh power and pre amps

See the system here: https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/7324

Sounds and looks fantastic IMHO.

70s era Marantz receivers.

I posted this before. Hope I don't get assassinated.

To my eyes, the looks of hi-fi/stereo componentry has been undistinguished since day one. For me, the only components that come close to being interesting-looking are tonearms.

Hmm. Just for looks.

I like meters. I have two Carver M-500t amps, two Pass X600 amps, etc, And a Magnum Dynalab Etude.

I like lights. I never had a 70s or 80s vintage Japanese receiver, but they had great lights. -- Kenwood, Pioneer, Sansui, etc. (Called them "Tokyo at night.") I even lusted after the Heathkit AR15.

Extra exotic doodads, like the oscilloscope on the Marantz 10B. (Never had one tho)

I actually like the dark glass faceplates on McIntosh electronics. Only ever had an MR78.

I like really complex-looking gnarly form-follows-function tonearms, like the Triplanar. (Never had one)

lol

Jusam..great topic. I have mostly Pass Labs gear that sounds/looks amazing.  I also have a VPI Prime Signature Rosewood turntable...which is beautiful also. The comparison to sports cars would be....Yes in a performance car I want both also..looks and performance. I don't need a fast car that's ugly as hell.

@riley804 how do you know it is the same person? Maybe the post is plagiarized, no?

at-least I did not cuss you out officer.

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@krelldog

 

real nice .

 

so other members can make their comments that are rude and nothing is said....but i simply pointed out that this OP has posted a similar post but under a different moniker name and i get cussed at ?              real mature Krelldog

 

 

Wow the posting police are out tonight.

@jusam I like post modern architecture, furniture and Scandinavian furniture designs.

I also like Italian motorcycles like the old Laverdas and Moto Guzzi Daytona.  

Art wise I love Escher and Dali.

Good thread to revive no matter what @riley804 thinks. BTW riley he did not start that thread looks like you arrested the wrong guy. 

 

For the Audiophile with a taste for good design(looks)....a question.

What are your favorite audio components and speakers based on the way they look (looked).  Yes, I know that sound is what counts and that is my major influence, but I do enjoy well designed/good looking products.   I no longer do, but did have a collection of art deco radios, both table models and consoles.....and that was all about design rather than their audiophile qualities.  Thanks 
 

whatjd


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