There's a world of difference between power amps, even with super low distortion. A blind test of class A/B chip-mp vs Ncore was enligthening in that respect.
Ha! You obviously haven't seen Ureis...Anyway sound, definitely sound.As an isobarik user I think I can clearly claim to be a function over form advocate.
That was how I came to buy a Musical Fidelity A-100 over a CB Naim NAIT2 back in the latter half of the 1980s. I didn't think the Naim looked the part, especially with its tractor wheel knobs and tiny dials, so I didn't even bother listening to it. Big mistake, but I live and learn.If something looks crap I wont buy it, however good the sound because there is just so much great looking kit around that sounds absolutely great.
A hair shirt amplifier from a backroom boffin, however good it sounds, just wont get a look in when I can pick up a vintage Pioneer or Marantz, built like a tank and sonically more than good enough.
I agree with you on their respective appearances. I loved the A-1 and A-100 in the day, and I liked their sound. Fortunately they were out of my price range so I didn't have to suffer fried capacitor syndrome later. I thought Naim amplifiers looked cheap for their price. Later I came to appreciate their design more. The late CB trim is my pick. A classic.That was how I came to buy a Musical Fidelity A-100 over a CB Naim NAIT2 back in the latter half of the 1980s. I didn't think the Naim looked the part, especially with its tractor wheel knobs and tiny dials, so I didn't even bother listening to it. Big mistake, but I live and learn.
Definitely the Gyro - still looks amazing and always draws admiring looks. Gotta say though that I’ve always bought for sound quality rather than looks. If it passes the looks good test as well then that’s a bonus. Recently got a DAVE and got a thumbs up from the wife.Bit of a
tart here- Gyro ( self explanatory) ANK-LX in an amazing Palisander finish....... just as well it sounds good.
I buy things that perform well (Innuos, Parasound), and build gear that looks good. To me, at least.I buy things I like the look of. I build gear that performs well.