Anyone remember the days before bells and whistles!

bells and whistles just add unwanted noise

Let’s see, I’m thinking… the 50’s and 60’s were largely before the plethora of features and function. Marantz introduced the oscilloscope on a receiver in the mid 70’s. That’s getting pretty gadgety. So, I’d say the 70’s market the reduction of sound quality at the expense of features and functions. I am sure that this was technologically founded… being able to add all these features and functions cost effectively.

I'm still no bells or whistles. Quicksilver, AES Six-Pacs, Prima Luna...etc.

shoving his wife off to the side

How do we know that is his wife? I guess the 60's were a simpler time.

Just for the sake of history the Marantz oscilloscope was introduced in the mid 60s in the Marantz 10 tuner, one of the all time classic  audio products.