Solid State Amplifier Advancements In A Decade

"I really haven't seen a major technological improvement in circuit design. regulators, power supply, circuit topology, etc. no real major changes. Just better components, layouts, etc. And as I wrote earlier, better transistors."

The above statement is pretty much what I believe is the case in the last 10 years, and is the reason that I created this post.

Can anyone refute the above quote?
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If I remember correctly, regarding advances in solid state amplifiers, Soulution was claiming to have developed a new method of eliminating switching distortion, or something like that with a novel and new method. I'm sure someone who owns one of their amps knows what I'm talking about and can clarify, but when I read the explanation in an Absolute Sound, it seemed like something new.

Extremely quiet SMPS operating at MHz frequencies and utilizing zero voltage zero current switching. Such power supplies are not only extremely quiet but also have line/load regulation. You can find them in all newest Jeff Rowland amps (including class AB). He also uses SPMS in preamps (Capri) to keep noise low.

Benchmark got rid of linear power supply, used in DAC1, replacing it with SMPS in DAC2, resulting in 10dB lower noise floor. Their brand new ABH2 class AB power amp also has SMPS resulting in S/N=132dB.

Also, in addition to improvements in discrete semiconductors integrated components like OpAmp, Buffers, Instrumentation Amps, etc. got much better.

Many amplifiers are built now using surface mount components. It is significant quality improvement since SMT process is very repeatable making country of origin pretty much irrelevant (that way Apple delivers high quality products, all made in China).

I'm also interested in this questions as I look to replace 15yo Perreaux power amp.

I've done a lot of reading on the interweb, and aside from the disqualified Class D options, this appears to be one of the few more innovative applications of Class AB and power supply design, although I'm not sure how far the apple has really fallen from the tree:

http://benchmarkmedia.com/products/benchmark-ahb2-power-amplifier

In terms of sonic improvements; nothing what so ever. I had a Threshold T400 in 1995. It sounded magnificent! I haven't heard anything surpass it yet. Joe