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Most aesthetically pleasing amplifiers

Speaking of tube amplifiers, I like the look of this classic:
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I have always liked those machined stripes on Jeff Rowland amplifiers. If you have seen one IRL, those stripes change shade as you walk around it, the effect is really cool.
 
Another Peachtree model that is currently sold
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Remote is a bit ugly though

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Speaking of tube amplifiers, I like the look of this classic:
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I’m not exactly a hardcore tube dude, but since I brought up one tube classic, I can—or rather, I’ll let Erin do it—highlight another classic, McIntosh MC275:


Regardning the fake, or clone Orsefon 275 tube amp, I wrote this in the comments section of Erin’s video:
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Erin measures frequency response and distortion. It probably comes as no surprise that the McIntosh MC275 is the better one. Although, compared to modern solid-state amps, it’s pretty lousy in terms of distortion (though I’ll leave that aside).
After all, the subject of this thread is the look—the aesthetic appeal. By the way, having said that, that Orsefon 275 (McIntosh MC275 clone) looks grotesque.It looks cheap, vulgar, fake-gold, and so on. :oops:
 
I’m not exactly a hardcore tube dude, but since I brought up one tube classic, I can—or rather, I’ll let Erin do it—highlight another classic, McIntosh MC275:


Regardning the fake, or clone Orsefon 275 tube amp, I wrote this in the comments section of Erin’s video:
View attachment 549639


Erin measures frequency response and distortion. It probably comes as no surprise that the McIntosh MC275 is the better one. Although, compared to modern solid-state amps, it’s pretty lousy in terms of distortion (though I’ll leave that aside).
After all, the subject of this thread is the look—the aesthetic appeal. By the way, having said that, that Orsefon 275 (McIntosh MC275 clone) looks grotesque.It looks cheap, vulgar, fake-gold, and so on. :oops:

But, but, it's supposed to provide you with that warm 2nd order harmonics fuzzy goodness.... :D
 
But, but, it's supposed to provide you with that warm 2nd order harmonics fuzzy goodness.... :D
I’ve heard people say that, sure, but that Orsefon 275 tube amp has more than twice the distortion in the higher frequencies, at 5 watt, compared to my budget Micca MB42X G2 spare/bedroom speakers. To me, that turns the distortion hierarchy of the audio chain completely upside down.:oops:

 
Here is a new one, I think it's a strange form factor for an amplifier. Not sure it blends seamlessly into your home as they claim, but at least it's different. :) And actually Norwegian (Aura Fidelity).

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Here is a new one, I think it's a strange form factor for an amplifier. Not sure it blends seamlessly into your home as they claim, but at least it's different. :) And actually Norwegian (Aura Fidelity).

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The unit as such looks quite nice. But that logo – no! Just like »Look, honey! From my first term at art college! 1977!«
 
My takeaway from the clone McIntosh review.

You can buy a genuine solid state amplifier, for a fraction of the cost of either of them, that will comfortably outperform both of them. :)
Modern,new, solid state. Class AB or class D. In terms of performance—yes. Price—oh, definitely. BUT, aesthetically pleasing? I don't think so. Most of them have a "hide-it-in-the-closet" look.

Regarding tube amplifiers: I’ve said this before—I think that’s something for electronics-savvy DIY enthusiasts to get into. I fully understand that.:) But for others who don’t fall into that category? Nope.
 
Modern,new, solid state. Class AB or class D. In terms of performance—yes. Price—oh, definitely. BUT, aesthetically pleasing? I don't think so. Most of them have a "hide-it-in-the-closet" look.

Regarding tube amplifiers: I’ve said this before—I think that’s something for electronics-savvy DIY enthusiasts to get into. I fully understand that.:) But for others who don’t fall into that category? Nope.

Not everyone likes the "bunch of bulbs with some chicken wire" look of valve amps. :)
 
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