This has been alluded to above but I will be more overt about it-you have a Japanese amp from 1988 (MX1000). While there are always exceptions that means a laid back sound character. The fact that your electronics tamed the leans-towards-bright B&W sound (and I am the original owner of a boatload of B&W's including Matrix 805's and like them!) says something about them. I don't mean to come off as a shite, but what exactly is your incredible over-generalized point? Is there a boatload of more modern gear that is impossible to listen to compared to yours? Yup. Is the vast majority of modern gear considered to be in the "high end" a gross contributor of listening fatigue? With amps and preamps my opinion is a steadfast and adamant "no". With digital, well, that is a whole 'nuther discussion and not one you brought up.
Is it me or new audio gear is too perfect and give ear fatigue?
Since getting back into the hobby during covid I’ve really enjoyed listening to music vs. bluetooth low quality speakers. Since listening to my Nautilus 803 speakers with old Yamaha Amps (MX1, MX1000) they’ve been sweet sounding and warm.
A lot of people have said the new equipment is near perfect chasing specs, sounding bright and causing ear fatigue.
Curious if people feel the same?