Not alluding to sound quality, but pure aesthetics.
Yesterday saw a picture of the Roksan Blak, and along with Hegel and numerous other brands... they call it 'minimalist' - I call it drab.
Before long you'll just get a box and a plug... if I wanted a 'minimalist' set-up I'd go the active route.
Where has the knob twiddling fun gone/going? I know there are a few brands that give you VU meters, but the majority are beyond the pockets of most people (thinking here of Accuphase, Luxman etc etc), including yours truly.
Is this what people want in the real world, or is it cost cutting by the major brands?
What's your view?
Yesterday saw a picture of the Roksan Blak, and along with Hegel and numerous other brands... they call it 'minimalist' - I call it drab.
Before long you'll just get a box and a plug... if I wanted a 'minimalist' set-up I'd go the active route.
Where has the knob twiddling fun gone/going? I know there are a few brands that give you VU meters, but the majority are beyond the pockets of most people (thinking here of Accuphase, Luxman etc etc), including yours truly.
Is this what people want in the real world, or is it cost cutting by the major brands?
What's your view?