Old Amp vs. New Amp

Since the OP has an NAD BEE amp I will say this--I used an NAD BEE integrated amp for years and then switched to a tube pre-amp/class D power amp integrated (made by Rogue).  To my ear it's definitely an upgrade from the NAD solid-state integrated.   As much the Rogue pleases me I expect that many higher-priced rigs will sound even better--I'm just not operating with that kind of budget right now.  At any rate, in this zone I think class D is a fine alternative.

the nad M22 is Class D and seems quite ready for prime time

there are newer designs such as Class G etc. - one should investigate and use listening tests even if ignorant of advances in electronics in the last decade or two

I do find it useful to buy things used and a few years after the fad crowd has moved on to newer stuff...

I own a Lafayette tube amp form way back when.  I have not found anything really out there that can compete with this beast.  Probably because of the transformers used back in the day.  I have heard very nice hybrid class D amps that sound pretty good also.  It all depends on the old amp and the new amp.  I would like to have my Krell 50 amp back also.  Hearing differences also to me depends on the source.  I personally would rather upgrade my source then my amp.  To me that brings a higher reward in sonic improvement.

Happy Listening.

Even 4 year old amps have often become very much a good value - why go back 20 years? And Class D's such as Nuprime are ready for prime time

jond - Yes, I am interested in tube amps, but for some reason (not really sure why) I tend to lean towards Solid State.  I would certainly like to try tubes at some time.  I own a few guitar amps, and I wouldn't even consider a solid state guitar amp.

There are SOOOOO many amps out there, it's really difficult to decide which one is best.  I guess I just gotta take the plunge and hope for the best.

So... I did just that.  I just purchased a Mark Levinson No 333.  I sure hope it turns out to be all that I hope it is.  I guess I'll see.

Thanks for the great discussion!