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 3 responses by dan_ed

That is the ugliest, piece of shit retro look I have yet seen in audio. :-) You guys are right. It is very subjective.
Sound quality IS NOT important, according to the premise of this thread. :-)
Ugly is ugly. I never did like that stream-lined look. If you put a grill on the front you could call it a 1950's Studebaker, or some fins on the ass end and call it a 59 Caddy.