How far have ss amps really come in the last twenty years?

Where I think amps have advanced the most are in the realm of modestly priced amps. Expensive amps 20 years ago already sounded excellent but budget amps 20 years ago never let you forget they were budget amps. It’s in this area where I think great strides have been made 

@maplegrovemusic  yes, I read through all of that some time ago. He claims to have gone 7/8 and 8/8 on other comparisons, but I don't think he bothered to have it witnessed, did he?  That suspicion aside, I admire his willingness to execute the tests and try not to rationalize the results away.

 @zavato  I think your post would seem to be very correct..although I think it applies perhaps a little more to ss amps than tube. For example, I think the new KT 120 and KT150’s are a superior sounding tube to the old KT88’s and 6550’s utilized by most manufacturers.

ahofer, Maybe we can get together, at my home, using my system, with me blindfolded, and you change out a few amplifiers of your choosing. I will want a 3rd party here. I believe you have stated in other posts of yours, that you do hear differences between some digital gear, which is interesting to me, because our ears only respond to the analog portion of digital gear, as we cannot hear " 0s " and " 1s ". Listen, I get it. You do not hear differences, so, you feel they do not exist. That is fine, and unfortunate. I do not need to convince you, or anyone, of anything. I am generally a lone listener, and I am in this hobby for myself. I am in Central Florida if you ever want to arrange something. I have 20 or so amplifiers here, and you are welcome to bring anything you have. My last statement, however is this. In this hobby, you are in the minority of listeners that do not hear differences in amplifiers. And yes, I have changed out capacitors ( tremendous in speakers, too ), enlarged power supplies ( well actually a tech friend ), and for years, have changed out power cords, on products that were available before IEC inlets, with differences in sq, and usually, for the better. And I do need to ask this. If you do own very expensive gear, and admit you do not hear differences, why do you own such expensive gear ? I know you are a wall street guy, so maybe it is because of prestige. You tell me. Enjoy ! MrD.

@mrdecibel

My interest in this is about the tension between my subjective and objective self, really. I’ve enjoyed the equipment I’ve owned (although I don’t upgrade nearly as much as the average audiophile) and that’s enough for me. Unfortunately, being an audiophile is negative status, if anything, in my part of finance. Exotic athletic achievements, massive watches, and ultra-casual seem to be the thing now.

It is indeed possible my hearing is shot. I’ve played in big bands and attend concerts every two weeks, as well as ride the subway daily.

I actually want to know if Shaw is right or wrong, whether my subjective impressions overcome or create the illusion of audible differences. The subjectivists have done a very poor job of proving him, and his ilk, wrong after 30 years, but I’m not entirely convinced yet. I want one of you guys to go for it, or go for it elsewhere - level matched, properly controlled. Or maybe you have and I haven’t seen it.

One thing that is important in my line of work - separating objective observations against your feelings. If you can maintain allegiance to the former in difficult times you can make a lot of money. I’m lucky enough to have been successful at that a few times (and less successful a few other times).

Now I observe that despite nearly $20k of available inducement, you won’t try to back up your assertions. I really don’t mean this to be snarky, but shouldn’t I view that as revealing?