I just spent 7 hours in a sesison with Technics representatives in the USA who were showing area dealers the new KN 7000. It does NOT look as "spacey" as the picturs on the net. It's much warmer in person. I don't think to many people will find it ugly. when the lid is closed there is a neon blue light that illuminates the Play, FF, Rew, Stop buttons so you can play your midid files without the lid being in the open position.