It is unfortunately a sign of the times: it seems that good, sound engineering principles are not the norm. I have a friend who has been an analog design angineer since the early 70's. He has repeadedly told me that is is getting extremely difficult to find good _experienced_ analog designers now. All that is taught in electronic engineering classes in colleges today is digital design. Analog gets _very_ little time; it's an afterthought. No wonder that the analog stages of even high priced equipment is inferior to what it was even twenty years ago.