Why are modern arms so ugly?


OK.......you're going to say it's subjective and you really looove the look of modern tonearms?
But the great tonearms of the Golden Age are genuinely beautiful in the way that most Ferraris are generally agreed to be beautiful.
Look at the Fidelity Research FR-64s and FR-66s? Look at the SAEC 308 series and the SAEC 407/23? Look at the Micro Seiki MA-505? Even the still audacious Dynavector DV-505/507?
But as an architect who's lifetime has revolved around aesthetics.......I am genuinely offended by the design of most modern arms. And don't give me the old chestnut....'Form follows Function' as a rational for ugliness. These current 'monsters' will never become 'Classics' no matter how many 'rave reviews' they might temporarily assemble.
halcro

Showing 4 responses by audiofeil

The Copperhead and Cobra don't float my boat at all.

Ugly is an understatement.

IMO
Even if they were the best sounding tonearms I ever heard they would still rank among the ugliest.

I can separate the visual and audible without any assistance thank you.

For example, I think Barbra Streisand has a great voice.