20 Year Old Amplifiers compared to 2017

@stringreen 
Up until a couple years ago, I had an Ayre V-1xe. It was very musical. I'd argue that for around $4K, which is about the used price on this amp, nothing of current production could touch it. I've had to spend quite a bit more money to get better sound.

These endless arguments about whether all properly designed amplifiers sound the same are a bit amusing. As a previous post noted, "certain unique speakers present loading that will cause good amplifiers to sound slightly different." Arguments arise over the level of difference "slightly" means perceptually to each of us. Personally, I have difficulty imaging the perceptual apparatus of one who can't hear differences in amplifiers. Even my wife, who has stainless steel prosthetic implant replacements for stirrup bones in both her middle ears and wears high end hearing aids can hear the difference in good amplifiers with upper tier speakers and she really doesn't care that much about the issue at hand. I also find the insistence that blind testing is the only viable methodology for determining if there are differences between things like amplifiers, musical instruments, etc. places unwarranted faith in the ability of humans to make meaningful consistent distinctions in stressful testing situations. Many of us have heard a great deal made of the recent blind testing that alleged to have shown that concert violinists cannot really distinguish between a Stradivarius and a quality modern violin.
 The following account by a participant in the test rather succinctly points out the flaws in the belief that the blind testing was an accurate arbiter of differences: http://www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/20121/13039/
 For those that are unaware of this test, here's a summary of the results as widely reported: https://www.thestrad.com/blind-tested-soloists-unable-to-tell-stradivarius-violins-from-modern-instruments/994.article
 Closer at hand to the topic under discussion, I have a highly modified PS Audio HCA-2 (much improved over the stock amplifier) and a brand new Mivera Audio AS1200 amp with the latest iteration of B&O's Icepower modules. Fifteen years separate the two amps. I'm not sure I could distinguish the differences in a rapid fire blind test with short listening segments. However, when you have a longer listening sessions to familiar recordings one does hear differences in things like the way different parts of a snare drum more or less prominent, a vocalist sits in a different soundstage perspective in relationship to the orchestra, cymbals sound slightly different, etc. Subtle, perhaps meaningless to some, but apparent nonetheless. 

@photon46, Im interested in your impression of the mivera as that may be my next amp thanks.

Chrshanl37, I'm only about 50 hrs. into the break-in process and most say you need 200 hrs. on the amp to hear the final outcome. It has changed quite a bit since first out of the box. I posted my initial impressions here @ Audiocircle's discussion about the topic: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=154910.60
Look towards the bottom of the page. I will say that the amp has continued to become even more nuanced and refined sounding since those comments were posted. Mike Davis, the owner of Mivera, opined that the B&O module was so good that most audio system owners would be better off with amps based on this module and spending subsequent money on better sources and ceasing the endless quest of looking for better amps. Assuming one likes the clean sound of the best current class D amps, that's probably not hyperbole. Knowing how audiophiles are always looking for the next big thing and won't be likely to accept that an amp as inexpensive as the AS1200 could really be that good, most won't take that advice. I've heard my Tidal speakers with $100,000 worth of amplification and the ridiculously inexpensive AS1200 is definitely not playing out of its league. ($1300 or so for the assembled and fully loaded with every upgrade Takachi case unit that's no longer offered.) I'd say the amp is the greatest bargain I've purchased in 40+ years of being in this hobby. Apparently B&O is having a hard time keeping up with OEM demand for this module and we'll see it incorporated in a number of amps in the future.