"Myself, I collect and use the best vintage gear from the Golden Age of High End - 1965 - 85! That was when the most innovative (and affordable!) stuff was made! Since then prices have only risen for NO real advances in sound quality!"
This is an overlooked truth many times (I would go as far as stretching it to 1990). When HEA got into the selling revolving door of components and speakers the selection of "being able to play a wide range collection" dropped dramatically. Whenever you see a music playback excuse for not being able to play a recording you know something isn't right. And as roberjerman said right around 1985 there was a ceiling hit. Not so much with less expensive products but certainly with the over built ones.
Simplicity is coming back with a vengeance.
Michael Green
www.michaelgreenaudio.net