If, as some have said, that transistor amplifier design stoped progressing since the 1970s, then it's pretty pointless to suppose that today's amplifiers might be better.
Why would they be?
There's also absolutely no need to suggest that our memories are being coloured by nostalgia. Neither one way or the other. Even if they usually are, we are human after all, the amplifiers don't know and can't care about our subjective feelings and memories.
Feelings we can no longer confirm as soon as someone turns out the light.
For sure there is a chance that a vintage amplifier might require recalibration or even a replacement of a failing part but that could happen to the new amplifier too.
The real differences, both measurable and identifiable seem to be between solid state and tube designs, especially those highly controversial Single Ended Triode models which DO measure and sound different.
This is certainly an old subject and has been covered many times, including here on AG.
20 Year Old Amplifiers compared to 2017
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/20-year-old-amplifiers-compared-to-2017
Why would they be?
There's also absolutely no need to suggest that our memories are being coloured by nostalgia. Neither one way or the other. Even if they usually are, we are human after all, the amplifiers don't know and can't care about our subjective feelings and memories.
Feelings we can no longer confirm as soon as someone turns out the light.
For sure there is a chance that a vintage amplifier might require recalibration or even a replacement of a failing part but that could happen to the new amplifier too.
The real differences, both measurable and identifiable seem to be between solid state and tube designs, especially those highly controversial Single Ended Triode models which DO measure and sound different.
This is certainly an old subject and has been covered many times, including here on AG.
20 Year Old Amplifiers compared to 2017
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/20-year-old-amplifiers-compared-to-2017