Most aesthetically pleasing amplifiers

[Slayer]

This guy powers the system on my screened in veranda and has survived a couple of decades of Wisconsin weather without a hiccup.
I have always liked the look of this unit, just a simple little cube.

I'm with you, I prefer the minimalist look. Simple yet elegant. I still have a couple of these Anthems, 20 years, one with a complete overhaul.
Nice big case, keeping everything cool and channels separated.

 

[VintageFlanker]

 

[_thelaughingman]

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The amount of drool on my keyboard is impossible to mop up. Oof so much appeal

 

[Midwest Blade]

View attachment 198104

This guy powers the system on my screened in veranda and has survived a couple of decades of Wisconsin weather without a hiccup.
I have always liked the look of this unit, just a simple little cube.

Had one in the studio at the old college radio station, never misssed a beat and served us well through many social evenings. Provided power for a pair of Altec Lansing speakers that were loud and clear. Good memories.

 

[mhardy6647]

If not meters, then tubes:

McIntosh MC225

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I don’t think I would personally buy a tube amp, but I do think they look attractive.

I would argue that the MC225 was their single best vacuum tube power amplifier (contrarian that I am).
It's the only one I really wouldn't mind having an example of.

 

[Angsty]

Not so plain black box...​

MBL Reference 9011 monoblock amplifier​

 

[JiiPee]

For aesthetically pleasing, it is usually best to check what Italians have made...

 

[pablolie]

I always thought this was one of the coolest budget amps ever... used it in a garden system then donated to a friend. sounds pretty darn sweet. they have actually doubled in price over time! Qinpu A-6000

 

[Blumlein 88]

I would argue that the MC225 was their single best vacuum tube power amplifier (contrarian that I am).
It's the only one I really wouldn't mind having an example of.

Why better than the MC240?

 

[MakeMineVinyl]

Why better than the MC240?

I've heard that the 225 sounds better too, but I've never heard one personally. I have an MC240 that I can drive my LF horns with, in addition to Dynaco MKIIIs, and its easy to switch back and forth for comparison. Long story short, I prefer the MKIIIs over the MC240 for whatever reason (and no, there's no blind test data to be found here ).

 

[Blumlein 88]

I've heard that the 225 sounds better too, but I've never heard one personally. I have an MC240 that I can drive my LF horns with, in addition to Dynaco MKIIIs, and its easy to switch back and forth for comparison. Long story short, I prefer the MKIIIs over the MC240 for whatever reason (and no, there's no blind test data to be found here ).

I've had a couple of MC240s and ST70's and a friend with MKIIIs. I agree they seemed better than the MC240 to me as well when used on some old Quads.

 

[Angsty]

 

[silentt29]

Always loved the aesthetics of the current line of Yamaha (and Technics) amps, which is one of the reasons I snagged an A-S501 earlier last year.

 

[Angsty]

 

[silentt29]

In addition, some of my other favorite amplifier designs are the TEAC AP-701B and most Esoteric designs, like their Grandioso S1.

 

[silentt29]

Audio Research Reference 160 S Stereo Amplifier​

Always loved the look of that amp. $20k, but still very nice to look at.

 

[mhardy6647]

Why better than the MC240?

Sounds better (more accurate & neutral) to me. The MC240's got a bit of that roly-poly, underdamped, boozy, bluesy sound to my ears & taste.

 

[mhardy6647]

Funny that Mac's finally gotten around to copying paying homage to the Atma-Sphere aesthetic, isn't it?

I mean, heck, even Bob Carver was - it could be argued - ahead of 'em on that count...

I like to call it the Klett Colorimeter look.

 

[Angsty]

The French will not let the Italians sweep all the style points…

The Apurna Apogee

Power amps meet wallpaper.

*edit* - I just had to include a link to this review to get the details - the "wallpaper" must be Louis Vuitton.
https://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/apurna/1.html

 

[Kal Rubinson]

If not meters, then tubes:

McIntosh MC225

View attachment 197953

I don’t think I would personally buy a tube amp, but I do think they look attractive.

I have a nice pair of these: