20 Year Old Amplifiers compared to 2017

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. 

Thank you for the response, i was not aware that the cases were no longer available with upgrades.

Mike has a lot of Takachi cases left over because of folks upgrading their original orders in his first three or four lots. Most people decided to upgrade from the Takachi case and wait for him to finish production of his own beefier upgraded cases. He isn't offering the Takachi case anymore because he can't get enough AS1200 modules from B&O to meet immediate demand and he wants to focus on his own in-house brand offerings/cases. Don't know if he'll ever decide to offer the kit again. 

@photon46 - I was reading another forum today and there was a reference to this old article on Tom’s H/W re: a blind audio test they performed. Its a perspective from outside the audio world although the conclusions are not as dramatic as the Stradivarius test you mention.

http://http//www.tomshardware.com/reviews/high-end-pc-audio,3733.html

Parts are parts and they are greatly better now than 20 years ago, but I don't think well known makers have adopted newer circuit designs; they are all lights and copper. But grounding, controlling vibrations,ac purity and rooms are more important.
I used to be a tuby with tubes only used having bought 2 ARC Dual 75s, a SP-3 preamp,, and Infinity Servostatic in 1973 and thinking nothing could be better. Now I have more invested in ICs, PCs, speaker wires, grounding, and ac supply than components. I just wish that I could have had this and enjoyed it since 1975.

Strongarm