Any thoughts as to how some of the older top of the line casting reels like the Chronarch 50mg or the Team Daiwa Z or Sol stack up against todays reels like the Core or MGX or even the Zillion. I have the newer stuff but have never used the older reels and notice they still get big bucks on Ebay. Interested to hear from owners of both

There are older reels that were just special, and are as good if not better than the some of the new stuff.  Sol, Fuego, TD-Z, The real Chronarch's, some of the Curado's  the Skeet Reese Revo, all of these reels would stack up against most of the new stuff.

They'll have to pry my Chronarch Mgs and TD-Z from my cold dead hands.

 

Shimano's DC system and Daiwa's Mag 3D have gotten stellar reviews on the new end of the reel time line.

The CH50MG is just a fun reel!

 

However, I don't think it is as strong as a Curado 50E.

I have spent quite a bit of time with every reel you listed save the MGX. The older reels compare quite favorably with all of the newer releases IMO. As far as Shimano, I tend to agree with RW regarding the 50mg. They are a blast with which to fish, but they just felt a little "weakish" to me. I'd gladly take a Core over any other Shimano reel that I have owned. I lost my Core 50 overboard a few months ago--still makes me sick to think I could be so stupid.

On the Daiwa end, I prefer the Sol/Alphas platform to anything they have come out with(even the Steez) since discounting the line. They just suit me perfectly. The Zillions are an entirely different animal. They are solid, smooth, and Heavy. I fished a Type R for about a year and really liked it, but it was just bigger and heavier than I prefer.

I have yet to find a reel that fits and impresses me as much as my TDZs / Fuegos. They were just special IMO. I think the Core and Steez lead the pack, but the 50 size Shimanos CU/CH/Scorpion are really sweet little reels. I'm less than impressed with materials being utilized moving forward. Not to question the use of carbon being used, but it just doesn't feel right - Not yet anyways. I'm looking forward to handling a new Chronarch Ci4+. If you look inside a Steez there is a lot of metal opposed to plastic commonly found. Is it worth the price tag? User decision I suppose. I like Daiwa of old, Shimano of newer (HEG gearing). Even the HSTA was a super solid reel, just a little big to palm.