I don't know why it is so expensive now. I suspect there are many reasons, reduced market share, marketing, prestige factor, etc. Some of it may be less true competition. Way back in the '70s there were many big separate companies making good products. That number has dwindled. Now there are many boutique companies making products without the engineering resources of the big boys. Once those boutique companies prove their product they are gobbled up, like ARC or Wadia. It is a completely different market now.
The other thing of interest is that HiFi news is giving out more good reviews now. Why? Is it possible the products are just better now than ever before? Take mid-fi products for example, a mid-fi reciever in the late '70s compares to a mid-fi receiver today are world's apart in performance and quality.
A sansui G8000 in 1979 retailed for $920. It was a 2 channel amp with 120W / channel, tuner included. That is about $3000 today. That would buy you the top of the line Pioneer Elite receiver. 140W/ch into 9 channels. 9.2 pre out, dolby atmos, streaming audio, video switching, etc... I would say that the new Pioneer probably sounds better too.
So how do you adjust the scales? Is there a set comparison point, or is it all relative, and relative to what? This hobby of ours has come a long way in the last 40-50 years, and it continues to improve. I expect it to continue. What was hi-fi 20 years ago is probably mid-fi performance now.
The other thing of interest is that HiFi news is giving out more good reviews now. Why? Is it possible the products are just better now than ever before? Take mid-fi products for example, a mid-fi reciever in the late '70s compares to a mid-fi receiver today are world's apart in performance and quality.
A sansui G8000 in 1979 retailed for $920. It was a 2 channel amp with 120W / channel, tuner included. That is about $3000 today. That would buy you the top of the line Pioneer Elite receiver. 140W/ch into 9 channels. 9.2 pre out, dolby atmos, streaming audio, video switching, etc... I would say that the new Pioneer probably sounds better too.
So how do you adjust the scales? Is there a set comparison point, or is it all relative, and relative to what? This hobby of ours has come a long way in the last 40-50 years, and it continues to improve. I expect it to continue. What was hi-fi 20 years ago is probably mid-fi performance now.