Interesting subject. When I first started going to live gigs I was astonished at the dynamics, particularly how drums sounded compared to how they sounded on my dad's 'hi-fi'. That's what started me looking for a better sound and by the time I was 20 I was buying my first Rega, Nait, Celestions etc. Wasn't long before I wanted more and eventually went Naim active with all Olive gear. Thing is when I go to gigs now I don't notice any improvement in sound compared to the 80s... some are better than others, but overall the sound is pretty much what I heard 40 years ago. Yet when I have been to recording studios, admittedly not often, the sound is definitely better now than back in the 80s, but not always as inviting. It's like digital gear has made the studio recorded sound more accurate, but my ears like a bit of inaccuracy. If I listen to the current range of Naim gear compared to the Olive I can hear the clarity, the extension etc. all of which are probably improved over the Olive, but I still prefer the Olive house sound. Maybe it's different for someone starting out now, they might want the more sterile sound of the modern equipment, but I think in my case my ears are always chasing that blend between clarity and warmth/colouration. I think older gear is probably less 'good' in real measurement terms, but we like it like that.