Are future improvements in Amp/PreAmps slowing to a crawl?

Shadorne , I'm sure you already know, specifications shouldn't be used as an indicator on what sounds good. and you also know there is gear that have terrible measurements but sound spectacular. Plus you right, you can't measure musicality but you just know its there when you hear it.

@sean_heis1

If you find outstanding (better than anything else on the market or ever mass produced) measured performance to be a meaningless achievement then how do you propose to measure what you find important?

My ears and brain work together and outside of their limitations, I don't care because it's beyond my hearing and comprehension. 

I think the idea that advancements have slowed to a crawl is right. One area of improvement is the bringing of better designs to lower price points. To the masses, if you will. And then of course, the "B" and "C" tier can be had for even less these days.

But after reading this tedious thread, another thing comes to mind. It doesn’t matter what the subject is, folks will push their agendas ad nauseam. Class D, class T, pro amps, etc., I guess the future’s so bright for them I gotta wear shades.

This reminds of of the fervour with with some people will push their new favourite brand, like they just discovered the world’s first speaker. It’s another pet peeve of mine on these forums, the cult-like fanboyism with which certain internet brands get pushed, like fanatics at the airport. No thanks, dude, I gave at the office, okay?!

My answer is "yes".  But I approach it with three factors in mind: 1) is it organically musical; 2) is it transparent, and 3) is it reliable.  I believe we essentially are there with at least some gear..