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Many higher end preamps are dated and ugly, why is this?

Conrad Johnson, BAT, VTL are all very good preamplifiers, they are dated and just ugly.  Audio research is a prettier amplifier but it's not very well regarded due to it sounding more like a solid state, ie. Not really a tube preamp despite all those internal lightbulbs.

Cheaper preamps can be more pretty. Schitt makes a pretty preamp for about $1000. People like pretty.

D'Agostino by many is viewed as very attractive but kind of weird. 

jumia
jl35
3,920 posts
 

I like the look of Schiit stuff, though certainly not "pretty"

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 

all very good preamplifiers, they are dated...

If by dated you mean to say no chips, no processors but hard wired with individual component level design. I'll take that every time. 100 years from now, it will be repairable and still sound great.  

nglazer
843 posts
 

My VTL 7.5iii preamp is perennially modern and classic, sleek and attractive. No one can call it "ugly" unless your aesthetic sensibility is, shall we say, singular! Neal

jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,608 posts
 

Many higher end preamps are dated and ugly, why is this?

works quite well for dated and ugly customers...

ketchup
688 posts
 

Dated and ugly?  I think you might mean simplistic with no frills, which I am just fine with.

If Schiit is "pretty" to you, I have to seriously question your taste.

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