Poll: Best Looking Stereo Integrated Amp

[andreasmaaan]

For over the top how about this VAC? 450 watts and everything you want. Alas it is way, way, way over-budget.
View attachment 98008View attachment 98009

Thought it was an electric radiator heater at first glance.

 

[andreasmaaan]

Thought it was an electric radiator heater at first glance.

On second thoughts, it may well double as one.

 

[tvrgeek]

I think the classic Yamaha amps are the most pleasing. Elegant and you know what it is. Cambridge not objectional. The last thing I would want is one of those above gaudy brag-how-much-money-I-spent monstrosities. I would admit, the Roon is not bad. How much are yo willing ot pay for a milled case? $5000 extra? Smaller is better in my book.

 

[restorer-john]

if you couldn't afford a Quad 33/303

I had a Quad 405-2, 34 and FM-4 all in a beautiful (well it was just OK in actuality) timber stand. They were held by the rear and "floated" in space.

Looked groovy, but those wretched DIN plugs, leaky caps and just plain wierd functionality led me to sell it at a vast profit and move on. No regrets.

 

[restorer-john]

...Smaller is better in my book.

My girl likes good looking, black HiFi, and the bigger, the better.

 

[peanuts]

Densen denmark has some neet integrated. maybe a bit sterile for some tastes

 

[Sprint]

I heard multiple times Yamaha AS-3100. It was one of the clean sounding integrated I have heard. They provided very detailed and stunning sound. I was very pleased.

 

[restorer-john]

Densen denmark has some neet integrated. maybe a bit sterile for some tastes

Not sterile. Just aesthetically and ergonomically challenged.

 

[abhijitnath]

If not, this is the one to go for

View attachment 98010

Haha is that real? I would actually buy it.

 

[andreasmaaan]

If not, this is the one to go for

View attachment 98010

You'd want some long fingernails to get the records off the platters.

Also:

 

[watchnerd]

Gotta say that I've never been impressed by any of those "tubes on top of a box" amplifiers ... especially if the the box happens to be chrome.

I'll cast another vote for the Anthem STR ...
.

It looks like a clock radio for my nightstand.

 

[watchnerd]

Densen denmark has some neet integrated. maybe a bit sterile for some tastes

pic?

 

[Frank Dernie]

Now I have had it I would never buy anything which did not have a rotary volume control on the remote.
I hate up/down buttons.
Having them on the fascia of the actual component should be a capital offence.

 

[Feanor]

It looks like a clock radio for my nightstand.

That's what I like about it

 

[watchnerd]

Revox B750

 

[watchnerd]

Mitsubishi DA-U300Z

 

[tvrgeek]

Besides a real volume control, don't forget tone controls. They are not evil and frequently all we need. I don't care for remotes, but that is a personal choice. The Rotel is also nice and clean. Some like the Peachtree, even the Denon if you like black. The little Sony UDA-1 is unobtrusive.
I like design that is clearly functional but unobtrusive. Good industrial design is first, functional. I remember a Krell preamp. Silver with grey print. Only a 15 year old could read it, but only an old fart could afford it. FAIL. Mission had some fancy cast front that said Mission with unlabeled knobs. Fail. Then we had the feature-itus of the 70's where there were so many useless switches and meters you could not find the volume.

The old B&O was in the NYMOMA because it was simple, clean and functional.

And of course those stupid sinks as above. But if you had them, you would want to hire a maid as what a mess to maintain. Like the clawfoot tub craze. Clean behind it once and you see why they should be left in the century long past. ( 19th)

 

[Robin L]

You can fix those issues pretty easy.

But it would most likely blow the visual elegance of the simple design. In any case, this is the amp for playing your grey-label Capitol Frank Sinatra mono originals.

 

[naviivan]

Alchemist Audio Forseti is my pick... ok, no VU, tubes or heaps of Knobs but love the design. Not sure what it sounds like.
http://www.alchemisthifi.info/ranges/forseti/alchemist_forseti_apd15rc_integrated_amplifier.htm

 

[watchnerd]

Alchemist Audio Forseti is my pick... ok, no VU, tubes or heaps of Knobs but love the design. Not sure what it sounds like.
http://www.alchemisthifi.info/ranges/forseti/alchemist_forseti_apd15rc_integrated_amplifier.htm

"The Star Trek-style remote control was very disappointing. Cheap and nasty and not befitting an amplifier of the Forseti's performance or price."