Most beautiful amp and or preamp

Today, it's Angus Leung's minimalist Rei monos and Quest preamplifier. I have several from past decades, including the Hovland HP-100 and Sapphire amplifier, Innersound's Reference amplifier, and preamplifier with industrial design by John Heins below.


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One more image for fun. This image, as opposed to the first, was computer-generated in 2002. before generating images like this was a thing. One of the products shown was among the earliest complex disc-based music servers using a database for meta-data. I recall the late Charlie Hansen of Ayre saying that computer-based music storage would never take hold with audiophiles. That said, Charlie was the real deal, a genuinely brilliant and outspoken audio designer, and he is missed.


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McIntosh MC2102: tubes & blue meters.
This amp got mixed reviews on various audio forums but I have one and it's fantastic when mated well with a great preamp & speakers...

McIntosh C22 preamp: great preamp. My dad has one with a MC275 tube amp, both amp & preamp original purchase from the mid-1960's.
 

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Esoteric Grandioso C1X solo Preamplifier. Pictures do not do this unit justice.

  • There are two main methods of volume control system employed in preamplifiers. The “stepped attenuator circuit,” which switches multiple fixed resistors to adjust the volume, is an ideal method for a preamplifier that pursues sound quality because of high reliability at the contact points and bringing out pure and direct sound quality. However, since the volume is defined by switching resistors, the circuit scale becomes too large for smooth volume adjustment

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  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

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