Audiophile jewelry - most beautiful Cd players, turntables and other gear

[Angsty]

Looks to me like a modern abstract locomotive off its rails.

It certainly is not a visual design for the Accuphase PRO-100 crowd. It is definitely designed to be a conversation piece as much as, if not more than, it is designed to reproduce music. Quite makes my Bryston amp look plebeian.

 

[Angsty]

Basis Audio Signature 2800

 

[mononoaware]

Accuphase equipment is gorgeous, slightly retro, understated design. I love the champagne color and wish more makers would offer it on, say AVRs, versus black (ugh) and, rarely, silver.

Love this E-650 integrated ...

Even the guts are relatively gorgeous ...

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This one looks better then the previous one.
The large round knobs help break up the empty space.

What is with the boxed off area on the right that prevents the guts from being symmetrical?
Is that an area for optional modular component?

 

[evam1]

I had to download the photo and zoom to read the model: Leben CS600X. Audiophile jewelry, for sure.

A subjective review:
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/leben-cs600x

My ampl is cs600 - older model, same with cs600X, except preamplifier tubes

 

[Gorgonzola]

This one {Accuphase E-650} looks better then the previous one.
The large round knobs help break up the empty space.

What is with the boxed off area on the right that prevents the guts from being symmetrical?
Is that an area for optional modular component?

Yes, that area is for optional modules: see the pic of the rear of the amp ...

I wouldn't say that Accuphase components are "worth the money" or even that all test results are impeccable, but they are robustly engineered. See their technical blurb ... https://www.accuphase.com/technical_information/e-650_technical_information.pdf

 

[Wes]

Basis Audio Signature 2800

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[mononoaware]

Yes, that area is for optional modules: see the pic of the rear of the amp ...

I wouldn't say that Accuphase components are "worth the money" or even that all test results are impeccable, but they are robustly engineered. See their technical blurb ... https://www.accuphase.com/technical_information/e-650_technical_information.pdf

They are a bit “gaudy” for my taste. At least they are built well.

 

[Wes]

They are a bit “gaudy” for my taste. At least they are built well.

Just paint it black

 

[mononoaware]

I understand we all have our preferences, but I'm not sure these would qualify as "jewelry".

I guess we do have our preferences. . .
I see this to be qualified as "jewelry".

 

[Xulonn]

I see this to be qualified as "jewelry".

Jewelry? No way. Now this is audio jewelry...

 

[mononoaware]

Jewelry? Now way. Now this is audio jewelry...

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You would have a tough time believing that's a real amplifier (actually sold on market).
I noticed the brand "Little Dot", currently using 2 of their compact Monoblocks.

And I must say they actually look like a real product, while the "Eighth Note" model looks like something out of Disneyland.

 

[Semla]

Jewelry? Now way. Now this is audio jewelry...

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This as a preamp to a purifi would make for a good conversation starter on this site.

edit: look at this beauty paired with a Schiit:

 

[Gorgonzola]

This as a preamp to a purifi would make for a good conversation starter on this site.

edit: look at this beauty paired with a Schiit:

So which is which?

 

[Xulonn]

You would have a tough time believing that's a real amplifier (actually sold on market).
I noticed the brand "Little Dot", currently using 2 of their compact Monoblocks.

And I must say they actually look like a real product, while the "Eighth Note" model looks like something out of Disneyland.

The last CD player I owned was a compact transport from Little Dot. I sold it to a vinyl-only tube guy as his first CD player in 2011 just before moving to Panamá to live as an expat and making my move to only digital music files and streaming audio.

The stock unadorned brushed clear aluminum components from Little Dot are rather pedestrian looking. However, the below balanced vacuum tube headphone amp (which appears to be the same model as the be-jeweled one above) in black with gold tube guards looks quite nice IMO, although having the volume knob and power button in gold would be an improvement. Little Dot seems to have a decent sized following, and I would enjoy seeing one of their HPA's measured and reviewed by Amir.

 

[Semla]

So which is which?

if it ever gets reviewed here it can only result in that tasteful Jeff Koons pink panther (knockoffs are for sale on alibaba. I'm sorely tempted)

 

[mononoaware]

sold it to a vinyl-only tube guy as his first CD player in 2011

Interesting so the company has been around for quite awhile.
I admit I never heard of the brand before the discovering the Monoblock model.

The stock unadorned brushed clear aluminum components from Little Dot are rather pedestrian looking.

I like the brushed metal look, it gives a more “industrial” look (also matches the SU-8 DAC), gives the appearance toughness and long lasting.
I actually prefer no VU meter, but since this one has warm orange light I think it complements the brushed metal.

So far I can say good things about it, good build quality (at least outside), the metal power button is cold metal and when power on you can hear click from “relay” engaging which reduce surge from power-supply.
Same thing when power off, after a few seconds it makes click sound indicating relay is back in its original position.
Gives the impression of thought went into it’s construction.

 

[Xulonn]

I also like the black and gold elegance of the Abrahamsen amplifiers (spinoff from Electrocompaniet) - they remind me of the Rado Centrix Quartz watch.

 

[mononoaware]

I also like the black and gold elegance of the Abrahamsen amplifiers (spinoff from Electrocompaniet) - they remind me of the Rado Centrix Quartz watch.

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I see so your past experiences influence your tastes. . .
Maybe my past is bland and industrial. . .

I think this one looks better then the previous tube amplifier, but I would prefer if the dials were silver metal.
If you like Tube’s I suggest AirTight Tube amplifiers.

I prefer solid-state sound, so got just the 2x Little Dot Monoblock Power amplifier without the matching Tube Pre-amplifier.
I would also be interested to see Little Dot products review on ASR.

 

[Wes]

The trick is to produce a low=cost but SQ-competent amp, and then have changeable knobs, lights, and faceplates.

 

[Harmonie]

I also like the black and gold elegance of the Abrahamsen amplifiers (spinoff from Electrocompaniet) - they remind me of the Rado Centrix Quartz watch.

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Strange, it reminds me Electrocompaniet

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Ouupss you just mentioned it