I agree that the old stuff is good, but I wouldn't stop at just build quality. I think in most respects, sound quality is better too. It isn't that modern gear can't sound better - It can. Better materials and better designs are out there. The problem is that the quest for cheap and small has given us just that, cheap and small.
I know what you mean about cheap and small. It's nearly impossible to go into a store like Radio Shack or Best Buy these days and find a true, quality component stereo system. Nowadays, all the stores keep in stock are those all-in-one-box sets with speakers the size of your hand. =/