I still have a few of my old compounds from the 80s and my Martin TD recurve was probably built in the early/mid 80s and they all work great today. My new Switchback XT was built earlier this spring and it replaced a Hoyt Deviator Carbonite that I bougt in 97 (STILL throws Gold Tips over 280fps today!).
In all honesty I only bought the Switchback XT because working for a dealer I got it through Mathews corporate plan (is a STEAAAAAAL of a deal, well below wholesale even) and could sell it tomorrow for twice what I paid for it. The smoothness, quietness and lighter weight is a bonus but I didn't just HAVE to have that over my old Hoyt which still shoots just as fast as the XT.
RA