Amplification: what are the biggest advances of the last 40 years?

Price

My thread “Is there a SS amp that can satisfy a SET guy?”.
Today, the answer is yes… the best of Class D.
And, IME, the question can be expanded to include all tube amps and all non class d SS amps.
And speaking of “the best” class d, I anxiously await the new Atma-Sphere Class D!

Hello,

Nowaday, it is not politically correct to claim that audio amp have improve within the last 40 years...

The designer in the past were not only  technician but also musician or audiophile...all were music lover.and pioner ...Franck mc intosh, Tom collangello/Mark levinson,Nelson Pass,Saul b Marantz, lew johnson et bill conrad....exct..
A circuit have to sound according to their wishes...
  There are improvements in components ,resistors,capacitor and we lost know how in tube technology since production has been given up in general, every specialist agree in this point..

To summerize,numeric technology interface is improving but not analogic amp, D class amplifier is a confortable approach to reduce volume space
In a given power output..

To date, most fameous brand name are " marketing company"and listening amp results have to respect a sound aesthetic focusing more detailled ,definition and brillance vs dynamic ,matters and Pratt ( peace ,rythm and timing)of vintage amp

So it is  just an opinion of " vintage audiophile


Raymond

I would say that the improvements in manufacturing processes for semiconductors makes it much easier today to develop great amplifiers. Regardless if it is a Class A, Class AB or Class D amplifier.

Several advanced spice simulation tools now are available for free. This together with low cost high performance PCs makes it possible to perform simulations on amplifier circuits by anyone who want to learn this. Even if simulations do not tell the whole truth, it is a powerful tool when developing innovative amplifier solutions. I use such tools extensively when developing new type of amplifier solutions.

Advanced audio measurement software using relatively low cost hardware is now available. This makes it easier for startups to develop great amplifiers.

Internet makes it possible for anyone to access research articles and exchange knowledge and ideas with others. The more knowledge we put into amplifier designs the better they will get.

+1 @atmasphere 
The greatest innovation in amplifier technology is the fairly recent leap in Class D development that made them as smooth as tube amps.