HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

antonio66 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 16, 2022 2:11 am

savvypaul wrote: ↑Tue Feb 15, 2022 7:41 pm What I'm learning here is that...

we can make the new integrated in a minimalist case and sell it for £2k,

and then we can put the same guts in a case with meters and whistles and sell it for £4k.

A question that ought to be asked, would you by an amplifier that you didn't like the looks of even though it sounded great?

Interesting question but one for which there may be a partial answer: The Quad 405 was produced in relatively large numbers and still appears to be in demand, to the extent that clone circuit boards are readily available. A search of eBay reveals a number of small businesses offering amplifiers using these boards in a variety of different cases. One example, offered as “used”, was clearly a poor attempt at looking original but two others had taken a different approach. Of these one was a simple box, minimalist in the extreme and the second was a two box design with the PSU separate from the amplifier. What we have is essentially the same amplifier in four different cases, on the day I looked, so one might conclude some buyers don’t particularly like the original case and prefer to buy a “pretty” case.

Unfortunately the disparity in production numbers means there isn’t a definitive answer to your question but it would appear that some people will pay more for the pretty case. Of course they might be paying more for a new amplifier rather than risk buying a used one.

Many year ago I did a lovely amp for me in a biscuit sweet tin.
Like this one.

I don't tend to find much to dislike in basic, low cost boxes. I tend to have stronger opinions about the more complex / luxury items.

In terms of looks (never heard one), the Gato does not appeal to me at all, too bling for me. The Technics combo is a bit 'meh', in a beige sort of way. If either was the best sound per pound available, I would put up with the looks.

Aesthetically, I tend to like kit that isn't trying hard to impress, but still manages to have an inherent rightness about it.

The constraints on NVA design, aesthetically, are the use of acrylic and the requirements of the Class II regs. The new integrated will be in a satin Matt finish that does not show fingerprints / dust / scratches. Other luxuries, such as meters, displays, LEDs, contoured lids etc are either rejected on grounds of cost (or taste), or they are not practical for the reasons above.

antonio66 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 16, 2022 2:11 am... A question that ought to be asked, would you by an amplifier that you didn't like the looks of even though it sounded great? ...

As the owner of Briks, EV Sentry III's, Bozak Symphonies, Urei 6290, Urei 6400, EMT 930 I've already bought and kept equipment that I didn't like the look of, because it was at the right price and offered a good enough performance for me to want to keep it.

However, I seem to be somewhat of an outlier.

For NVA the trick is to look classy, whilst providing the electrical properties required whilst costing a modest amount.

Maybe NVA amps could take a leaf out Mercedes Benz's book and put large diameter radiuses on their corners and edges to give the impression of solidity?

If I were offered 2 amps for the same price, and the "ugly" one was better (subjective I know, but this bollocks is not ordinary bollocks, this is slinger's hypothetical bollocks) I'd take the ugly one in a heartbeat. Simple as that.

If it's THAT bad I can always listen with my eyes closed.

Wonfor14 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 16, 2022 8:53 am Many year ago I did a lovely amp for me in a biscuit sweet tin.
Like this one.

Sweet!

I've always loved my Exposure mono power amps, and visually, they are as brutalist as a set of amps can be:

10BA53EC-7AC7-4756-B621-E96F0B22FA63_1_201_a

I do like the feature of the front plate with a slight radius to the edges being slightly larger than the rear box.

slinger wrote: ↑Wed Feb 16, 2022 3:43 pm

Wonfor14 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 16, 2022 8:53 am Many year ago I did a lovely amp for me in a biscuit sweet tin.
Like this one.

Sweet!

You or the Bling?

Me, of course, Col. Whenever somebody says "Well, that was short and sweet," I automatically assume they're talking about me.

I think you are right Paul, keeping things simple is best, it is only when manufacturers bling up their boxes do you tend to find either like or dislike comes into the equation.