I like my Herron VTSP-360
Platinum faceplate
what is more popular silver or black face plates
It seemed back in the 80's & 90's most high end components were black. Although some components today still offer black finishes it seems silver is now more popular. What are your thoughts & color preference?
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@stuartk: I too had a blackface Deluxe Reverb (1966), a favorite amp with me. That was Evan Johns’ choice as well, but when we recorded the Moontan album his was stranded somewhere in the country, so the studio in Atlanta, GA provided him with a blackface Super Reverb (same amp as the Twin Reverb, but with four 10" drivers). Evan played his Tele straight into the amp (he don’t need no stinkin’ pedals!), and cranked it wide open. When the engineer opened the door to the isolation closet the amp was sitting in, the sound coming out of the closet was about the loudest thing I’ve ever heard! At the end of 2007 I did a three night gig (December 28th and 29th, a night off, then the New Years Eve show. The place was packed!) with Jonny Kaplan at The Iron Door Saloon in Groveland, CA (a little town up in the mountains, not far from Yosemite National Park), the longest continuously-open bar in California history (the original carved wooden bar and iron front door are still in place). It opened during the gold rush days, and has been opened ever since. One of Bill Graham’s top employees bought the saloon, and decorated it with original Fillmore Auditorium posters. The stairwell next door to the saloon leads to an old-style bunkhouse (like cowboys slept in on a ranch), which is where the band was provided beds to sleep in. Free meals and an open bar (the bartender made as good a Bloody Mary as I’ve ever had), plus gas money for the drive up from L.A. and an acceptable paycheck. Non-musicians may find the following interesting: I had never before played with Jonny, and heard through the L.A. grapevine that he need a drummer for the gig (his regular drummer was back home in Italy for the holidays). I contacted him, told him whom I had worked with, and he asked me to send him some examples of my recorded work, which I did. He gave me the gig, and sent a list of songs he intended to play (his own and covers). My woman made me a CD with all the songs, which I played during the drive from L.A. to Groveland. The 28th and 29th shows were basically paid rehearsals for the New Years Eve show, and by the end of the 29th show we were pretty tight. He gave each musician (a trio to back him) instructions as to what he wanted different, me to play the backbeat a little further behind the deepest center of the pocket. That’s not uncommon with guys who grew up listening to Charlie Watts. Anyway, Jonny played rhythm guitar using a Les Paul Jr. plugged into a modern Deluxe Reverb reissue, and it sounded great. Turned up just enough to give it a little "crunch". When I did a session with Dwight Twilley’s guitarist Bill Pitcock IV, he plugged his ES335 into a pair of old Deluxe Reverb’s, with an MXR digital delay in-line between the two (for that Sun Records slap-back echo sound---fantastic!). I also had a 1967 black face single Showman amp (I had both JBL D-130 and D-140 drivers), which I used with my ’68 Fender P-Bass, a killer combo. I bought the bass in the late-90’s for $500, sold it in 2010 for $3500. The opposite trajectory of hi-fi components.
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That would be my first consideration as well, followed by the price for which I could get what I wanted. Face plate color would be way down low on my list of priorities. But I honestly do like silver or probably almost anything, as far as the looks department, better than the standard black box. But I will buy the black box in a heart beat if it is the one I want and the price is right! |
it amazes me all the reasons people have for their choices. As I am seriously considering the purchase of a Marantz HT processor and it comes in both colors, I am strongly considering the silver just because I think it looks better and is less likely to show dust and fingerprints. I’ve had a bunch of black equipment in the past and while it was ok, it was never a big deal to me either way. Its more important that the equipment work than look good. |
I like my components like I like my wheels: beautiful and shiny, but not too shiny like chrome. Black is too muted and easy to lose sight of. I think the rest of the room and furniture matter, too, especially regarding wood and finish choices. Black seems to do alright with shabby sheek antique furniture. |
I'm grew up as a teen in the 70s and 80s and appreciate all things chrome and silver and anything contemporary. I have a Marantz 1180DC Integrated amplifier and I see this 1180DC amp as work of art from the past. When I first purchased the Marantz amp back in 2010, I thought the 1180DC as just another silver faceplate amp, but as time moved on, I've learned to appreciate the beauty of this amp like all other classic audio equipment, automobiles, and motorcycles from the 60s, 70s, and the 80s where chrome (or silver) brings out its beauty. |
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. FWIW, I prefer a black faceplate. |
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. |
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: |
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. |
@wturkey +1 |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
I agree with @max_sansui Black, out of sight, out of mind. I just want to hear the music! Cheers |
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. |
For a musician to replace a regular bandmember for just a show or two is called "subbing."