What is $5,000 worth today, and is it better than 1,600 in the 80's?

For what it’s worth my speakers are Quad ESL-57s fully rebuilt by Wayne Pickard in Florida. While not going much below 40 hz and being rather directional, they have a nuanced presence and, for me, transparency I haven’t heard elsewhere. Though I am on the periphery in Vermont. But Trying out a Pass INT-25 (way out for me) it was like having Ella Fitzgerald and Louie Armstrong in my living room last night. My wife came in and sat down smiling and tapping her toes. 
A mix of old and new, but so satisfying. Smiles and goosebumps. What a pleasure.