Best Looking SS Integrated Amplifiers Under $2,000


Hi. I've been looking at a lot of integrated amps from vintage 70s through 80s to modern day equipment. So far, I kinda like the vintage stuff especially the black faced Sansuis, detest the 80s black box stuff (many are still made that way like supposedly awesome Onkyo A-9555 for example), and think that some of the British stuff (Naim, Rega, Cambridge Audio, Creek, ...) is interesting but ultimately doesn't warm the heart. Since I enjoy equipment that both sounds AND looks good, what am I missing? And, with all due respect, no, I don't do tubes.

Of all that I've seen, I love the bold big gold knobs on black acryclic look of the Onix machines.
vivaslb

Showing 5 responses by vivaslb

Thanks for the responses. The Marantz PM1551, Electrocompaniet and Pathos stuff do catch the eye. Obviously, quality matters but if you have an audio component in the living room that isn't on all the time, so for part of its life, it is merely an object, then its appearance should matter. I need to please my ears and my eyes as well. The quest is on. Any opinions on the Onix stuff. As you may have gathered, I like black, matte (70s Sansuis) or glossy (Onix).
@Tbromgard - Oui, le YBA, c'est vraimente magnifique.

@Cmalak - yup, Paradigm Studio 20s. I just got my Onix A-120 and for now I'm all set. With the Onix CD-5 it is a pretty pair and sounds quite nice with the Paradigms.
Got a Sony XDR-F1HD1 tuner which pulls in stations incredibly well. Only beef with it is it is tiny, and looks a trifle odd on top of the Onix A-120, which btw is a great amp.
The gray Primare I30 s probably the next nicest looking IMHO to the Onix A-120. I prefer the glossy face of the Onix A-120 to the (at least in the pics on their site) more matte look of the Primare. The Primare has some sweet looking knobs, but I love the boldness of the gold ones on the Onix A-120.