Has anyone truly compared Vintage vs. Modern?

I had the MARANTZ 2245 and JBL L100’s in my college dorm back in the Jurassic Era of this wacky hobby ( the ‘70’s). It was considered a top performer in ITS era (emphasis added).

In brief, even today’s modestly priced strata equipment will best it. The large myriad of today’s available options of a perceived “ top performer” will smoke it …. Not even close.

”Vintage” in audio just means “old“ , Ok ….that has some ad hoc nostalgia appeal to a select few cohort today. Fine …. Each to his own …. Carry on.
A good example of this type of pure nostalgia appeal would be with the 60’s classic car enthusiasts. A bit of fun with resurrected memories of a misspent youth, but never a contender for performance with a comparison to today’s buzzillion offerings.

@akg_ca

+1

I still have my Marantz 2040… which I occationally bring out… I have thought of having it reconditioned just for fun, it sounds terrible. But I know from following the progression of audio decade by decade that the progression goes only one way… better.

Now if you just loved the warm sound and glow of tubed sound of the fifties, most likely you will be incredibly disappointed to hear it again… unless your emotional connection overrides the reality of the sound.

Marantz 2245 amplifier sound characteristic is my taste. 

Is there any similar sound characteristic as close as possible in modern power amplifier or integrated out there? Kindly advise!

It's hard to imagine but a few vintage pre amps, ala APT Holman were cleverly designed and, in the right condition, still perform well against contemporary efforts.  Not sure about amplifiers.

Bryston, Superphon , Dynaco had impressive engineering that can still be impressive.