Gear you can't stand the look of

[Neil P]

Does anyone have brands/models they wouldn't consider because of looks (regardless how good they sound). For me it is Cyrus .. I can't explain why, but their casework size/style REALLY annoys me ha ha

 

[Del monaco]

Cambridge Audio’s cheaper amps.

 

[Barry123]

^^^^ Know exactly what you mean.
The Naim shoeboxes do the same thing
Edit, in response to the OP

 

[Neil P]

Anything with unnecessary LED strips etc... Marantz! Also the vintage looking Tannoy speakers (sorry I know that is heresy for some!).

 

[JezmondTutu]

Tidal, Avalon, Rockport and all other similar speakers. Some obviously think they look lovely - I don’t!

Not a fan of Avantgarde speakers.

& on behalf of my wife, Shahinian Obelisks. I still miss them!

 

[Del monaco]

My Maggies aren’t particularly pretty to be honest.

 

[Amber Audio]

Does anyone have brands/models they wouldn't consider because of looks (regardless how good they sound). For me it is Cyrus .. I can't explain why, but their casework size/style REALLY annoys me ha ha

Love the Cyrus form factor in black - got 8 of the little bu****s

 

[Del monaco]

Love the Cyrus form factor in black - got 8 of the little bu****s

I remember that Cyrus was a big favourite of WHF when I was younger. For some reason I presume the gear ha# a sound signature similar to Devialet or Arcam? Is this right or am I far away? Always meant to listen to some but passed me by really.

 

[Neil P]

Love the Cyrus form factor in black - got 8 of the little bu****s

That's why I love hifi (and music) ... so many competing opinions, and yet we all get along (mostly)

 

[Del monaco]

That's why I love hifi (and music) ... so many competing opinions, and yet we all get along (mostly)

That’s the art of a good, well run forum. It then attracts more of the same music lovers. Some other forums are honestly scary.

 

[Amber Audio]

I remember that Cyrus was a big favourite of WHF when I was younger. For some reason I presume the gear ha# a sound signature similar to Devialet or Arcam? Is this right or am I far away? Always meant to listen to some but passed me by really.

There's a gap between owning Arcam and Cyrus but I wouldn't put them in the same sound signature family - grossly simplifying I'd say Arcam = Smooth and Cyrus = Incisive, obviously influenced by room/speaker.

 

[Hazelberry]

I remember that Cyrus was a big favourite of WHF when I was younger. For some reason I presume the gear ha# a sound signature similar to Devialet or Arcam? Is this right or am I far away? Always meant to listen to some but passed me by really.

I don't know about Devialet but Cyrus is nothing like Arcam. Last I listened to it, Cyrus was more neutral, leaner & forward with a truncated bottom end.

 

[Del monaco]

There's a gap between owning Arcam and Cyrus but I wouldn't put them in the same sound signature family - grossly simplifying I'd say Arcam = Smooth and Cyrus = Incisive, obviously influenced by room/speaker.

Nice to know.

 

[Beobloke]

I love a bit of high end bling but I’m afraid in visual terms the Metaxas and Sins stuff does nothing for me. It looks like it’s trying way too hard.

 

[Del monaco]

Musical Fidelity did some very unattractive golden blingy amps etc. a few years ago.

 

[Joco]

NAD kit, there just seems to be an bloody minded obstinacy in their designs which, while immediately distinguishing the brand makes me want to look away, like seeing Russel Brand or that dreadful TV dating show which starts beneath the waist, quite freakish.

 

[gustav_errata]

Cyrus & Chord. Also those cylindrical Musical Fidelity components.

 

[Del monaco]

NAD kit, there just seems to be an bloody minded obstinacy in their designs which, while immediately distinguishing the brand makes me want to look away, like seeing Russel Brand or that dreadful TV dating show which starts beneath the waist, quite freakish.

Dumbfounding. I can’t decide whether they are good or bad looks wise.

 

[Caliente]

Arcam - they tend to look like £19.99 items that you would find in Aldi.

 

[Chris81]

It is way easier for me to call the brands with a design I like than the brands I don't like because they are about 85% for me I guess.
I like the Spendor classic line, Harbeth, Klipsch Heritage, older Sonus Faber like Cremona (auditor M) and Guarneri Memento, Devore Fidelity, Tannoy Prestige and Legacy, Naim, Croft, Audio Note, Air Tight, some Rega stuff, Linn LP 12, Palmer, Dr. Feickert, Nottingham Analog.