20 Year Old Amplifiers compared to 2017


Just a random thought, but I’m curious just how well the state of the art solid-state amplifiers from 20 years ago compare to some of today’s better offerings. For example, what does a pair of Mark Levinson 33Hs or a Krell FPB 600 sound like if compared to the latest offerings from Pass Labs or Ayre Acoustics?
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As ears age, time seems to reclaim many things along the way, including the ability to keep up with the advances as quickly as they come on the market. Some say planned obsolescence, but whatever, the progression, sometimes it is just easier to be content with what you have, be thankful that it still works, and that you have a mind and heart to still enjoy the pleasure of music. Today, there is so much hype, and even in the are of what passes for talent to me just sounds like so much noise -- much of which would sound better, perhaps, if more distortion were added to the noise in order to cancel it out!

All that is progression . . . is not necessarily an improvement nor a step-up to a higher level of euphoria. As in the case of lies and deception -- the human factor can be found in every man-made effort for perfection. Man will never obtain that level on his own despite his arrogance, conceit, or self-absorption. Obviously, no one's answer is ever going to satisfy the masses 100%, because of the very nature of man . . . but this one thing is true -- man won't stop contending, arguing, or voicing opinions so long as they have breath. Even in the audiophile forums no matter how numerous, absolute agreement will never become the norm, but that is part of the fun and the endeavor of the hobby, isn't it?
including the ability to keep up with the advances as quickly as they come on the market.

This holds true for solid state, but for tubes especially push/pull triode, pentode, tetrodoe, and ultra linear. These are and still are based on the Williamson design from the old old days, with minor differences in design. 

Cheers George
I use to have a VTL 300 Deluxe Mono Blocks from the early 90's, pretty basic amps.  I replaced them with VTL 450MKII Mono Blocks.  The sonic improvement was minor, just a bit more power but the Fault Protection and Auto Biasing is a huge improvement.  

With the added technology, I get much longer tube life which lower operating cost. These amps have 16 KT88's and at 60 bucks a pop it can get pricy.  
Have recently tried a Nord class D amp and did not find it in the same league as class A amplifiers.
+1 on that, listened to many "good" ones now that owners say are good, but they still don't cut the mustard.

Cheers George
Bruno Putzey said in an interview earlier this year that if Class D sounds good, it sounds good despite the fact that it is Class D, not because it is Class D. Bruno basically said that efficiency is the only reason to molest a signal so dramatically. 
Great example is FM Acoustics from early 80-s. Why are these so highly demanded despite the age and mighty price tag? There`s got to be a reason :))