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bobbyddThe reply was something to the effect that "well, the technology and parts quality of these newer generation " units are far beyond what was possible a few decades ago. Also, that circuit design has advanced tremendously as a function of technology.
This is a valid statement. Although it’s not a stark change like the discovery of semiconductor chips, high-end audio is uses both technology and art. In our small niche high-end audio market, intense competition leads to increasing better sonic designs over time. Take prolific amplifier designer Nelson Pass for instance- his decades of designing experience has influenced his current offerings. Also, the quality of audio transformers have made significant sonic improvements.
Even internal parts can be very expensive such a Takman, Vishay, Mundoff, to name a few. Custom transformers can also be pricey.
Also with better audio component designs (like speakers), we are better able to hear differences in the quality of amplifiers.
That’s why we pay (and sometimes pay n pay n pay…) for these sonic improvements.
And please, none of the banal "it all matters" comments
The entire audio chain matters, but one’s system must be resolving and transparent enough to hear the differences such as to the “fool you it’s real” level. While one can throw in a quality amp and gain sonic improvement, if the rest of the system is not to the same quality level as the new amp then the rest of the system is holding back what the amp is capable of performing.