Audi's Quattro system was first introduced in 1980. So the basic technology is 36 years old, and yet it remains the best of its kind, as anyone who has driven aggressively under adverse conditions will attest.
I collect (mechanical) vintage watches, and, among many others, own a Girard-Perregaux High Frequency Chronometer from the early '70s that is accurate to within two seconds a day. That is as good as any mechanical watch ever produced, in spite of the fact that important strides have been made in both materials and manufacturing over the last half-century.
I am currently using a re-capped, 45 year old Accuphase E-303 integrated amp, and the sound is excellent in my system. What is it driving? Harbeth P3ESR speakers. Both components were purchased used.
Are there sold-state amps with newer technology that I could have bought for around 1100 Euros that would sound better? Perhaps. Significantly better? I'd be surprised, frankly.
Are there speakers featuring newer technology that I could have bought for 1800 Euros that would sound better? Perhaps. Significantly better? Again, I'd be surprised, though the Harbeth's are admittedly well-suited to my listening tastes and current space.
I am not a die-hard Harbeth fan, as these are my first pair. But a really good, basic design, executed finely (which was/is the case with both above-mentioned companies), doesn't necessarily require the latest, available technologies, or even materials and manufacturing capabilities, to be of high value.
