For me it's in line with "variety is the spice of life". There is so much variety out there in our wonderful hobby, I would argue that for a desired sound, at a desired price point, one would find many variations aesthetically to float ones boat.
I dig gear that looks a little different. Scale too... There's a lot of art and design in HiFi.
I have some pristine and flawless pieces, (my Margules ACRH and recently acquired Cary SLI-80HS) and I have scratched and dented ones (my Mac240, Cary 2300A amps, TDL Compacts). I love them all.
I have some that are sort of stuck in time. (an Ariston integrated amp that just screams "Miami Vice 80's".
I wish i could say it's all about the sound, the HiFi.. but I cant honestly. The way things look and speak to me on a visual level matter.
I look at it like this. if someone gave me a choice between a group B Audi S2 monster rally car, and a Porsche 356, I'd choose the Porsche every time.
This all may not have made a whole lot of sense, I have two new puppies and I'm sleep deprived.