I enjoy looking at the stuff. It also helps a bunch to have it be visible and no more than a few steps away. You need to be able to operate the remote controls. You wanna be able to run to the turntable when you feel the need to clean the stylus, turn the record over or deal with a skip. I wanna be able to see what track number I'm on when I listen to the CD/SACD player. I want my tube amp to have plenty of ventilation. Sure, all the connecting cables are an eyesore. But I really can't complain.
How important is spending time with your gear?
In another topic we're talking about digital input speakers, and it got me thinking about something entirely different.
How important is it to spend time physically close to your gear, vs. enjoying it's output? If you could have your gear in another room, or closet, and you were left with just your speakers with no audible downside would you do it? Would you put your gear away and enjoy the empty space or do you need the physical closeness?
Clearly turntables make this a challenge, and there will be some poopy heads which don't get the question or can't stretch their imagination but for those who can, would you?