what is more popular silver or black face plates

I have both. I don't really have a preference. I think some components look better in black and some silver.  My dac, ddc, clock, and phono stage are silver. Everything else is black. 

I purchase a fair number of used components, so I have given up being that picky.

That being said, I find myself grouping them by colour on the rack.

I prefer black, but if I'm getting a great deal on silver faced piece, I don't care...

I prefer black.  When shopping for used gear, I've unfortunately seen silver to be consistently a bit cheaper used.  So I assume there is more demand for black. Jerry

On tube, gear clearly black as it provides more contrast to the tube glow. For the rest, typically there is no choice. I may prefer silver slightly as dust is less visible on it. 

I find black keeps me in compliance with Death Star regulations.

 

I'm a silver faced guy myself, I mostly see other systems using silver,  I'm surprised by the all black comments just posted! 

I know it doesn't apply to all but silver has mid-fi vibes.

Silver, black faced gear is hard to see in a darkened room.

Leo Fender was a trend setter.  

I personally prefer black. I’ve noticed some companies (Parasound comes to mind) charge more for the same component in black. 

Black

The Rolling Stones had it right from the start!

I see silver face plates

and want to paint them black

no champagne or gold for me

it’s got to be flat black

i see my line of gear

and they’re all painted black

I returned the silverl amp

and exchanged it for black

changed my return address

so it never can come back

 

well you get the idea

 

 

 

 

I have no preference.  My AV system is all black faceplates but my music system has more silver than black.  I have the impression that black is standard for professional installations while silver has an aesthetic more suitable for residential systems.

Anyhow, here's an earlier thread on the subject:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/the-cyclicality-of-black-vs-silver

Silver and black ala Moon.

I prefer black.  I have low level lighting in my listening room and black matte virtually disappears which is what I want.  

BLACK !!!

But have a White Turntable and White Subs to Accent The Look! 🎹 🔲 👍

I don't really care, I guess......never really thought about it too much.

Black is beautiful!

Silver, since day one, in the '70's.

I prefere black, as silver is a visual distraction from the music being played.  

Definitely agree with @jwei's recall that it is cyclical. In the UK, I would say that at the moment 'premium' comes in silver; 20 years ago, it was black (and 20 years earlier, it was again silver).

Personally, don't care. I have a mixture, depending on what I find/is available/cheaper.

I agree with @max_sansui 

Black, out of sight, out of mind.  I just want to hear the music!  Cheers

I prefer black, but on occasion have bought used gear that is silver. At the moment, it's all black for me.

Has to be black... Black is pure class, doesn't stick out at night when I do most of my listening... Silver is a eyesore, and it looks cheap and unfinished IMO 

A great many worthy components are available ONLY in black, or with token flashes of chrome. Black buttons on a black background in a dark room is not my idea of functionality -- or beauty. For me it's industrial chrome (silver) or nothing -- almost. Yesterday I changed out a silver tuner for a black one (new in box 3 years after purchase) for reasons of sonic necessity. Like McIntosh, NAD available in black only.

Either or I've learned that it's what's behind the face that counts.

More concerned about the performance, but black draws less attention to itself. 

I like the look of black so much I wrapped my silver Tambaqui DAC in black vinyl!

Silver shows less dust .... 🧹

https://quad-hifi.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/Quad-33-Front.jpg?v=1735011373

 

DeKay

Please note:this is purely an aesthetic question as I'm sure most audiophiles would not buy a component based on looks alone. I'm just curious what most of you prefer. So far it seems black.

Wonder whether those who prefer black boxes that "disappear" are the same ones who hide all the kitchen appliances lest someone suspect -- horrors! -- that actual cooking might be done there. 

I prefer Conrad Johnson

The last two pieces of electronic gear I upgraded were based on the deal I got, and one had a black face plate (the SA 10) and the other had a silver face plate (the SLP 05) so for me it is more about the price of the gear that I want than the color of the face plate or chassis, but if price was not my consideration and I was ordering one I would choose silver.

I think certain gear looks better with a black faceplate and others silver. I personally don't care that much my gear is a mix.

I've had systems that were both although I've had black more often.  My current main system, which I believe will be my forever system, is black with the exception of the isolation transformer which was a carryover from previous system configurations, although I'll likely swap its silver faceplate for a black one soon.  All-in-all I prefer black.

 

Usually black, but ARC gear looks more "right" in natural aluminum (silver). Atma-Sphere’s champagne is my all-time favorite.

 

Undecided…

The 70’s silver face units were, in my mind, the bomb.
 

Nowadays I prefer the black face units as they can be swapped out without much heat from she who must be obeyed. 

I prefer silver, but have both silver and black because some of my components were only offered in black. To me, black looks outdated and silver looks more modern. I’m actually surprised by all the comments on this post. 

It seems black faceplates are generally popular among audiophiles but I value the design and look of the face plate more than the color.  Champagne gold finish like Accuphase amp is appealing too, classy and timeless.

I had an old system for my parents’ living room back in the ’70s. Its components sat on a shiny whitish marble coffee table in front of the front windows. It replaced a brown Magnavox wood console furniture unit, and I very much wanted it to look elegant and appropriate for the decor, not too equipment-y.

The brushed gold faceplates and minimalist controls design of the Acoustic Research Amp and matching Tuner were just what I needed. I had them in their wood cases.  I partnered them with a Benjamin Miracord 50h, the turntable with the square chrome pushbuttons, under a big smokey dustcover. My Rectilinear Hiboys were toed in in the corners. It was a good system for its time and the look was perfect.

Alternate selections that I considered but did not choose were Dynaco PAT 4 preamp with Dynaco Stereo 120, an old Fisher tuner, Dual 1019 table, and AR 3a speakers. Lots of buttons switches and knobs. Definitely a studly dorm rig back then.

@wturkey  +1

As said above, in the seventies silver exemplified quality. In the eighties it seemed to me that when it came to uniformity, silver was more difficult to keep uniform. In a rack, mixed silver looked tacky. Black was easier in that regard. 

I think that home theater setups (no glare on black) in the eighties as well as a trend toward American manufacturing influenced the change. The seventies were completely influenced by the Japanese market and their demand for silver faceplates. The Japanese still demand silver. There were many pieces of gear they made where silver was only available in Japan. I agree with the Japanese. I want my gear to look as good as it sounds. I don't mind black components. They should be aesthetically pleasing however. 

I prefer black , used silver . My turntable is red  VPI scout, white Prime scout turntable, I like colors at times as long as it’s done right.

@sagger

Perplexity AI’s answer to the above question is:

“ Black has become the more prevalent color for audio equipment, though preferences vary. Here’s a breakdown:

• Historical context Silver was more common in the 1970s, while black became predominant in the following decades.

• Matching components Black is often favored because it’s easier to match with other components. Silver components can be harder to find and match across different brands.

• Aesthetics Some prefer black for its ability to blend in and not draw attention, especially in home theater setups. Silver is sometimes preferred for highlighting the equipment and its features.

• Personal preference Ultimately, the choice between black and silver often comes down to personal taste and how well it fits with the user’s existing setup and room decor.

• Market availability Black is generally more available, though some manufacturers offer silver options, especially in markets outside of North America.

NOTE THIS = • Resale Black equipment may be easier to resell due to its popularity.

Brands may offer both black and silver options to appeal to different aesthetic preferences and to maximize sales. Black, white, and silver are considered universally neutral and are the least likely to offend, appealing to the broadest demographic. Black is often favored for its ability to blend in, while silver can highlight the equipment.

Some brands might stick to only one color, like black, to keep production costs down. Black is also associated with heat management, keeping internal components in the dark, and projecting sophistication. Ultimately, the choice depends on the brand’s target market and desired image.

NOTE THIS = Technically, black faceplates in equipment may offer slight advantages:

1. Heat Absorption: Black absorbs more heat, which can help with passive cooling in some designs, though this is often negligible in modern electronics.

2. Light Reflection: Black reflects less light, reducing glare and distractions, making it ideal for environments like home theaters or studios.

3. Aesthetic Neutrality: Black is less prone to showing dirt or fingerprints compared to lighter colors like silver.

However, these advantages are typically minor and mostly aesthetic or situational rather than functional.

Production costs significantly influence the color options available for products due to the following factors:

1. Material Costs: Certain colors require specialized materials or pigments, which can be more expensive. For instance, metallic or custom colors often incur higher costs compared to standard black or white.

2. Manufacturing Complexity: Producing multiple color options increases manufacturing complexity. Each color may require separate production lines, additional setup time, or unique processes like anodizing or spot color printing, which raise costs.

3. Standardization: Offering a single color, such as black, simplifies production and reduces costs by allowing bulk purchasing of materials and streamlined manufacturing processes.

4. Market Demand: Brands may limit color options to those with the highest demand to avoid overproduction of less popular colors, which could lead to inventory waste.

These cost considerations often drive brands to prioritize black or neutral tones for efficiency and cost-effectiveness”.

My answer is black but it also depends on availability.

i hope the above helps.

Perplexity AI also wanted you to know this:

”Some brands offer both black and silver options while others only offer black due to a combination of factors:
• Popularity and demand Black is a very practical and safe color that is versatile and can blend in with any color and outfit choice. Black is often more popular, making people willing to pay more for it. Unpopular colors sometimes get reduced in price in order to move units.
• Aesthetics Black can be more aesthetically pleasing than other colors, providing a higher contrast to the color of the watch face or dials, making it pop and more pleasing to the eye. Silver is a popular choice for jewelry and watches. A silver watchband can complement other bracelets, rings, or chains for an overall cohesive look.
• Branding Black is often used in branding to increase the perceived value of a product and give it a classy appearance. It’s also seen as edgy and trendy. Black is associated with elegance and sophistication.
• Manufacturing costs Some coloring materials might be more expensive, or some colors may be more problematic, requiring adjustments to the manufacturing process.
• Supply and demand Amazon, for example, uses near real-time product pricing based on actual supply and demand and may adjust prices to better fit the balance between them. If the black version of a product outsells the silver version for a while, a price adjustment might be made to lower the price of the silver product.
• Fashion and design Many people will pay more to have something that fits their sense of style and decor.
Therefore, brands may offer both black and silver to cater to different aesthetic preferences, while some may focus solely on black due to its popularity, versatility, and association with sophistication”.

See link below to Perplexity

Mixed…all my Audio Research gear (phono, line stage, amp) is in silver as I’m a traditionalist. My SimAudio Moon gear is black but I do strongly prefer their black and silver designs.

My source component rack is on my side wall with only my amp between the speakers in sight during listening. Therefore, I would consider an Audio Research amplifier with a black face plate. Although, when truly focused during listening, eyes are closed anyhow, so what difference does it make?

Vintage silver, new black, unless it’s Accuphase.

@sagger 

The perceived sound quality of an amplifier is not determined by its color, but rather by its internal components and circuitry. However, some people believe that black amplifiers “sound better” because they create an “ominous impression” and have “deeper bass,” while others choose silver for preamps and source components to better see the knobs and controls in low light.

Some audiophiles express a preference for silver because it allows them to see their equipment. Others feel that black components disappear more easily and don’t go out of style. Ultimately, the choice between black and silver is a matter of personal aesthetic preference.

FWIW, I prefer a black faceplate.  

To me it depends on the gear your using...either or.