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Anything in your system simply because it "looks cool"?

jhoyt

jhoyt

Incomprehensible space llama
As a general rule, I don't have anything "extra" in my system. If I'm not using something, I take it out. But I recently acquired and repaired a high-end cassette deck, a JVC DD-VR9. I have a total of two cassettes. One is an old "vocal track" tape, the other is a blank partially recorded with old Car Talk episodes. So needless to say, I don't use cassettes.

But...

The deck looks so stinkin' cool, I put it in my system. I guess it does have one useful feature, monitoring source dB levels.

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What about you? Or am I the only one? :scratch2:
 
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Well, then go get some cassettes, dammit!! :D

No sense fixing that iron in the first place if you're just going to look at it! :no:

There are tons of them available at used music stores for small money, and, with a good deck, they sound just fine to me. :yes:

I have tons of them from college -- both pre-recorded and party mix tapes -- and they sound great on my mid-level Marantz 5020 deck.

People are collecting vinyl again, so, even if it never reaches the same level, get some cassettes and maybe you'll start a movement, or join mine. :thmbsp:
 
Keeping a system rack clean and relevant is in itself cool IMO, when I say relevant I mean usable, desirable and functional. My system is a dual use in a HT/audio room and between the multiple amps, outboard crossovers, processors, for audio and video use I have no extra rack space..........and there is 13 or so components total..
 
My new Empire TT - just arrived today. Sure, it's a great turntable, but I doubt I would have bought it if it didn't look so damned good.:thmbsp:DSC03131.jpg

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I understand completely ... my system has two equalizers and two dynamic range processors that I sometimes use, but are also there because they just look cool. Plus, I'm as much of a visual person as I am an audio person, so if the component doesn't look good to me, I simply won't get it. On the other hand, I haven't had any trouble finding components that sound great and look great too.

— K.
 
I use to keep an EQ in the system because of the cool spectrum analyzer on it. Then I ran out of space so it came out.
 
My system is usually set up to look like it has two turntables, but only one of them ever gets any use. I just like the way turntables look...and some I like the looks better than the sound.
 
Nothing there just for the looks, but I have a few seldom-used things, like a DAT deck, a DCC deck, a MiniDisc deck... and these things are likely to stay unused, for the most part. WHY? First, because it's hard to find DAT tapes. I can use the DCC deck to digitize tapes (it has a built-in ADC, alongside of a DAC!), but finding any number of digital cassettes is almost impossible. MiniDiscs I can still buy new in a couple of stores, but the main reason for having one is to use them with the portable (walkman-like) player. The "tootsie roll" rechargeable battery in my portable MD player is ungodly expensive now --something like $50+, so I don't feel very motivated to keep using that!

Why have them at all? Mostly just for fun, but also to be able to still play those very few recordings I have in those formats. And you never know when I'll stumble across an entire box full of NOS DAT tapes...
 
I have a strictly Pioneer system in the basement. sx-1250, sa-7700, pl55x TT, ct-f7272 cassette deck and HPM 1500 and 900 speakers. I run the sa-7700 out of the tape out on the receiver and hook the HPM 900s to it. I could play this thing silly loud if I wanted to, but I imagine it would be silly loud without the extra amp and speakers. But that wall of sound sure is impressive...to me anyway.
It looks like this minus the Allison speakers.
 

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Naptown Rob said:
My new Empire TT - just arrived today. Sure, it's a great turntable, but I doubt I would have bought it if it didn't look so damned good.
Click to expand...

I love those Empire tables...always wanted one. Most of the available ones I've seen needed refurbishing. People who have mint ones or who have refurbished theirs, tend to hang onto them. Nice pick up. :thmbsp:

As for the OP's question, I had a SAE 2800 Parametric EQ in my system since I bought it new in 1978. I recently sold it because I didn't use it anymore, even though it did look cool.
 
I'm pretty sure the cassette deck is just temporary. There was actually a "snafu" in the system recently, that rendered one component, ah, toast. So a space opened up for the deck.

My next project (parts on order) is to refurbish the B&O Beomaster 8000 I recently picked up. Once that gets going, from what I hear, it may shake up the entire system. Can't wait!

Oh, why repair it if I'm not going to use it? Let's just say, the price was right. 1/400 of MSRP. :D
 
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All my stuff is there for looks:smoke:

Nah, I like the sound, but the visuals are great. Could have picked up a great newer table, but got a old garrard because it's flat-out great looking. Pivked up a early sony cassette deck, mostly for looks (it's silver), since I don't have many tapes anyhow. Also recently got a little dot 1+, great sound, but also a great looking unit...don't really need it, as the pioneer has a decent headphone amp already in it, but was cool enough to warrant inclusion.

Some great stuff you guys have just kicking around:yes:...
 
Yep...sure do. A few vintage cassette decks all connected to a line out just to watch the VU meters dance. One of those MCS component TV/analyzer units to watch the waveforms on the TV screen. The analyzer doesn't mean much but it looks cool. Adjust the input with an EQ in the front and you can get some interesting displays. EQ's with spectrum analyzers and even one with sequential running lights and illuminated, colorful faux VU meters that give no real useful information. The reel to reel sounds great and the cool factor is unmatched. The Pioneer reverb unit with the "time tunnel" effect. A Pioneer RG1 gets another pair of meters into action. Analog tuners with beautifully lit dials. Everything gets used periodically, but they are always lit for the effect.A few vintage receivers off to the side that look wonderful when fully lit with their tuning dials, power and tuning meters, etc...
Throw in a color organ, some dim room lights, the lava lamp, and the
fiber optic lamp...sonic and visual bliss is found. I have never used equipment
that I find visually unpleasant.:smoke:
 
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