Is this a new fad?

[plastic penguin]

After seeing the new Arcam AVR 600 in Feb Edition, are hi-fi companies taking the minimalist thing too far with no knobs? For a number of years manufactuers have slowly discarded tone controls - and now no manual vol control. . .

Traditionally, men have had a fascination with buttons and knobs and other gizmos. Is there any REAL benefit in sound or is it a cunning ploy to save money?

 

[John Duncan]

No, it's a systematic plan to destroy the world's 'ugly tree' forests.........

 

[plastic penguin]

Mentioning ugly, these new amps (Arcam and Roksan in particular) wouldn't get past the prilims of an electronics "good look" contest.

 

[floyd droid]

The new ish Belles pre/power combo has no knobs no buttons,zippo. Remote control only, oh what joy when your 7yr old sits on it.

 

[plastic penguin]

floyd droid:The new ish Belles pre/power combo has no knobs no buttons,zippo. Remote control only, oh what joy when your 7yr old sits on it.

Absolutely - where next, no on/off switch? You just plug in and off you go

Are they having a laugh?!

 

[floyd droid]

And then we have the new yamaha gear. To me it looks superb with all those retro style knobs/switchs. Lets hope they have set a ,lets go full circle,trend.

 

[plastic penguin]

I reckon JD should start a campaign - Primare and old Arcam stuff looks cracking compared to some of the new stuff coming out.

 

[John Duncan]

The revolution starts at www.campaignforrealknobs.com

 

[chebby]

plastic penguin:
After seeing the new Arcam AVR 600 in Feb Edition, are hi-fi companies taking the minimalist thing too far with no knobs? For a number of years manufactuers have slowly discarded tone controls - and now no manual vol control. . .

Traditionally, men have had a fascination with buttons and knobs and other gizmos. Is there any REAL benefit in sound or is it a cunning ploy to save money?

Our fathers and grandfathers were not short-changed on knobs, switches, dial, sliders etc....

http://www.thevintageknob.org/PIONEER/RT707/RT707.html

Back when Rack systems ruled and real men wore sideburns and used Celestion Ditton 66's or Yamama NS-1000M's, almost certainly without stands or spikes or anything more than QED 79 strand cable.

 

[plastic penguin]

Years ago when graphic equalizers were the rage, music seemed to be more fun. Something, genearlizing, nowdays that seems to be missing.

 

[floyd droid]

Wow what a twiddlers dream chebby Of course we know whos got that set up in the attic dont we.

 

[JoelSim]

The volume on the AVR600 is now controlled with 2 buttons to the right rather than a knob

 

[Anonymous]

Truth be told. I don't like buttons.

I love remote controls though. Can't be motivated to walk to my machine to adjust volume...

Thus: More minimalistic design, better designed and build remote controls.

Logitech Harmony springs to mind.

 

[plastic penguin]

JoelSim:The volume on the AVR600 is now controlled with 2 buttons to the right rather than a knob

It's still an ugly brute. . .

 

[Sliced Bread]

JohnDuncan:The revolution starts at www.campaignforrealknobs.com

OK...I'm not going to click on that link from a work computer...just in case ;O)

 

[margetti]

chebby:

Our fathers and grandfathers were not short-changed on knobs, switches, dial, sliders etc....http://www.thevintageknob.org/PIONEER/RT707/RT707.htmlBack when Rack systems ruled and real men wore sideburns and used Celestion Ditton 66's or Yamama NS-1000M's, almost certainly without stands or spikes or anything more than QED 79 strand cable.

Oh, how fantastic! What *would* our other halves say if they came home to that in the front room one day! ÿ

 

[John Duncan]

JohnNewman:JohnDuncan:The revolution starts at www.campaignforrealknobs.com

OK...I'm not going to click on that link from a work computer...just in case ;O)

It's quite safe, provided "South West London Rock Bands" didn't turn into p--nography overnight (chance would be a fine thing).

 

[plastic penguin]

JohnDuncan:JohnNewman:JohnDuncan:The revolution starts at www.campaignforrealknobs.com OK...I'm not going to click on that link from a work computer...just in case ;O) It's quite safe, provided "South West London Rock Bands" didn't turn into p--nography overnight (chance would be a fine thing).

What a picture that's painting. . .