???What's The LEAST Expensive "End Game"Amplifier You've Ever Heard???

Yamaha A-S2100. Noise floor and resolution exceeds the ability of many separates systems, produces best bass extension I’ve experienced from ANY amp, and has enough power/current to drive most speakers. It manages the sonic strengths of tubes better than many tube amps.

Doesn’t have the brand cachet of Luxman or Accuphase but I would put my bets on it against those and similar brands all day. 

I bought a used Yamaha CA-800 in Japan last year for $300 US. From what I’ve read it seems to be a tough one to knock off any block. While I lust after some $10000 options I don’t think they’d ever sound better given my small room set up. 

Plinius, Hautonga for newer gear but, I could seriously call it quits with a vintage Sansui, AU-9500. It does everything right.

On this forum budget is my max. So the best bang for the sound, money for me was the Primaluna. I compared it to an integrated 3X the cost. 

I liked the accuracy with instrumental music. Crisp reed vibration from strings, could here the majesty of the tuba, clear, low,  the reed being bit down on for a tight high on the sax. The other integrated missed it. I was fortunate it matched my speakers perfectly. I hope you find the right one for you. 

This may not be my actual end game amp, but I certainly wouldn’t be disappointed if it were: Octave v110SE with KT150s and the Super Black Box cap bank. About £11k in the UK and it comprehensively saw off my Mark Levinsons.