What brand was better than it is today?

Pioneer!
Quote: Gutenberg references a 270w Pioneer receiver from 1980, and a test of that receiver by Innovative Audio shows that it can go toe-to-toe with the newest gear.

https://gizmodo.com/why-your-dads-30-year-old-stereo-system-sounds-better-t-5825359

Quad. Their old amps were legendary. Now they are cheap Chinese-made average sounding things. 

Mirage speakers took a big nosedive. 

No one mentioned Thiel?

What’s wrong with today’s marantz products? Has any one even had a listen? I understand of course the legendary status of their 60’s amps etc....but some of what they produce today is pretty darn good, especially their reference series components, ie the pm14s1 and the associated sa14 cd player....I own the pm14s1 integrated as well as the sa8005 sacd player and i think they sound terrific. The ruby series of components are pretty nice as well...