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How important is component “aesthetics” to you?

Obviously, performance, sound, etc is what matters most. However, some super fine, high performance products are just plain ugly. Aesthetcs does play an important role for me since we have placed a lot of emphasis on furnishing our home. 

Anyway, my search for a preamp has led me to the conclusion that ugly is more the norm. I love the look of glowing tubes with the Primalunas, mystere, Atma-sphere, Rogers, Decware, mapletree etc. In the solid state world, the macs have those famous blue meters. Even the “fake tube” older Peachtree components looked really nice. 

Just curious how “ looks” play a role when choosing components?
aberyclark
linnlingo
173 posts
 
If it produces great music then I'm happy. I had a Audio Research SP-16 for a number of years. Not very attractive but the sound was top notch.
bar81
754 posts
 
Performance is paramount but it has to not be ugly.  Homely I can live with if the performance is amazing, but I always prefer that it be an attractive design. 
tablejockey
743 posts
 
My listening session would never include staring at speakers that aren't up to snuff in the aesthetics department. I find it offensive to see plastic bits on $5K+
speakers  and gear.

Speaking of aesthetics, some of those system pics in the gallery are horrendous!
I wouldn't feel comfortable in some of those rooms.

I like looking at fine furniture grade veneers and nice CNC casework. Aesthetics should be part of the audio experience with all the money we dump into this silly hobby.

On the flip side, there's gear which show corners cut in the details, but sound great.
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