When were the best tube amps made?

Now. So many choices at so many price  and quality levels.

Every time has good, bad, mediocre.

@erik_squires Funny you mentioned AR from 80's. AR fans will hate me for this, but AR SP9 MkIII  has remained one the WORST sounding components I ever purchased, very bad memories of that one. Hybrid design didn't work for me, SP10 would have been much better choice. This purchase probably around 1984-5.

I stashed that SP9 in a closet for perhaps a decade, forgot I even had it. Upon rediscovery put it up for sale, sold for asking price in a minute. I see post in forums from time to time, some think that pre something special!