Sound qualities set aside... What is the most beautiful component in your system. If you can please provide links to a picture of it. For me it is my Basis 1400 turntable. This turntable is a piece of art. Unfortunately, I cannot find Basis' home page.
In my current lineup of components in the system, I would say that the nicest looking thing is my Naim ND 555 server or my Basis Debut turntable. I have two Isotek power conditioners that are made of aluminum that have a decent appearance too.
But, if one appreciates funky, industrial looking gear, my custom-built linestage would take pride of place. It is built on a re-cycled chassis with a very large front faceplate (something out of the 1940-50s) with large Davin control knobs for balance control.
I love the sound of Charney Companion speakers. I also think they look pretty good and are reasonably compact and light (not often the case with very high efficiency speakers). Although they are not inexpensive, they are nonetheless a ridiculous bargain for what they deliver.
I have a 2 box Raysonic 228 cd player;silver, carved from billet aluminum, balanced 4 tube output, top loading that sounded amazing. I say sounded" because it needs a new laser and possibly some work on the mother board. If I had the room I would display it as art. Alas, I don't have the skills. It's been in a boxed up for years. If anyone knows anyone, it's FS on AA and USAudiomart
When I first started the hobby and thought Monster Cable was the end all of cable and power products, I must admit that the Signature Series HTS5100 won. You have to love the blue lights!
I strongly believe looks are just as important as sound. I now have my UDP-LX500 on a Butcher Block Acoustics stand and I love it more everyday. My Furman power conditioner would take second place.
Magneplanar Tympani T-IVa loudspeakers, black cloth and dark wood side rails. Elegant simplicity.
My favorite looking amplifier is the Atma-Sphere M60, with the chrome-plated version of the round-cornered power transformer cover (and it's 50's-style UV meter). Very cool.
If other than in my audio system, I just bought a kitchen faucet aerator with built in LEDs that changes color to reflect the water temperature. Pretty...... My wife does not like it though because the water pressure results in a splashed and messy sink.
I do like the solid wood (not veneer) bases on Emotive Audio gear. My Epifania linestage also has the tiger maple wood base and it is quite nice looking.
The Parasound Halo A21. Most of my stuff is black and the result of too much logic, left brained thinking and not enough passion! Not so the A21, and although I'm sure there are prettier girls at the ball, Parasound really did a nice job with the big Halo models.
What's wrong with Lady Gaga cuing up? Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder I suppose. Me? I sometimes like a little edginess and that girl fits the bill, so there!
I have a very simple three component system: Zu Def 4s and Ancient Audio CDP and SET. All three are beautiful. Their physical appearance was a consideration when I selected each of them. Given the current number of high quality audio products, there is no reason to exclude looks when making a purchase. Everything must be designed; no component looks the way it does by chance. Why not include aesthetics into the design of a product?
Speakers: Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage (original ones in Walnut).
Amp: My Art Audio Symphony II. At night with 300b mesh plates and the 2 small blue crystals reflecting on the stainless steel (looks like chrome) chassis.
My custom two inch thick, 200lb. Pommelle Sapele-finshed custom built enclosures, housing updated Tannoy HDP 315's, with custom-designed/built crossovers.
My Audio Research, Bel Canto and Dynaudio stuff is very nice looking for audio gear. Even the Carver stuff though build quality is technically lesser. But I would not go so far as to call any audio gear beautiful, with the one exception I noted in my post above.
I had a Norwegian beauty, a Tandberg tr2080 receiver for years. Maybe..... Tandberg gear is visually one of my favorites in general and also great performers, but most of it is getting up in years these days.
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