Amplification: what are the biggest advances of the last 40 years?

The biggest advantage to better components in the last forty years was the advent of the compact disc and the dvd and blue ray which caused the amplifier to put out more power and dynamics to meet the demands for the new mediums. The other key components have all taken a step back in technology and sound since the start of the ipod era because of the advent of computer style electronics instead of audio grade eletronics. As for speakers they have all taken a backwards turn since 1965.

During a recent visit at my local dealer, I inquired as to why the new amplifier we were listening to was so expensive?

@bobbydd  High end audio isn't about price, its about intention. It is true that better parts are more expensive than parts of lessor performance. Its also true that low production numbers increase price. Finally there's something called the 'Veblen Effect' where a higher price tends to convey a perception of higher quality. Usually its only a higher price though. Companies that price according to a formula tend to have less expensive product than those that price according to what the market will bear but can quite easily offer higher performance.


One of the biggest audio debates in high end since before the www is the tubes/transistors debate. The reason tubes are still around is that most transistor amps are harsh and bright (entirely due to distortion and the misunderstanding that many people have that the low distortion is 'inaudible' when its obviously not; there's been a bit of denial going on...). Class D has brought the ability to build a solid state amp that isn't harsh- thus sounds just like a good tube amp without some of the bandwidth problems that are often a problem with tubes (especially higher powered tube amps).


As a designer of high end audio power amplifiers I see this as the single biggest advance in amplifiers in the last 50 years.

Some audiophile friends and sales people are of the opinion that "older amplifiers are outdated' and therefore cannot compete with the better new high end amps".

Personally, I'm skeptical of such statements, hence my original post.

Is it true that the best newer amps always sound better than the best older units?  

Does either technology, better parts, or improved circuitry and engineering make such progress inevitable?

I have not personally compared many units of different vintages in my system to answer that question.  Maybe some here have?

Some audiophile friends and sales people are of the opinion that "older amplifiers are outdated' and therefore cannot compete with the better new high end amps

Is it true that the best newer amps always sound better than the best older units?  

No. That depends on which new amp as opposed to which older amp. Not all new amps are better.

Does either technology, better parts, or improved circuitry and engineering make such progress inevitable?

If you get rid of 'either' in that question the answer is 'yes'.

Ralph is right, of course. The general trend is up. A rising tide lifts all boats. The ones that float, that is. Never forget that one little detail. Makes all the difference in the world.