What brand was better than it is today?

I have a half dozen Sherwood 7100/7100A, Yamaha CR620 receivers that work just fine.  I suspect current electronic equipment built to mid-fi standards should last a long time as well.  The parts quality have improved once you have electronics retailing for $2500+.  Cheapo video/audio equipment probably not. 

Fried speakers

Has anyone said McIntosh? Because it belongs high on the list. The new stuff is just gawdy mid-fi priced as high end.

Really?  I went through a very large number of rooms at RMAF and wasn't impressed until I got to the McIntosh / Sonus Fabre room.  This was one of the first rooms where I felt "there was something special".  It was very excellent sounding, but still too laid back for my own personal preference (which is a characteristic of McIntosh).