Corroborating @oregonpapa experience I also get great results from the combination of Gate and transformers (in my case both a Torus WM75BAL and Synergistic 12UEF) -- the former is an undefeatable part of my system upstream of the room and the latter acts as a distributor to my front and back end components (I actually have two 12UEFs and am in the process of upgrading them to the latest SR conditioners)
As what the Gate does is entirely different from what transformer based or other conditioners do I have no difficulty seeing these as complementary rather than mutually exclusive -- the sonic results certainly bear this out.
Obviously this does not really answer your question as to which gives the best return for your money but at least you can have some confidence that you may like the results from having both.
My personal bias if in your situation wold be to start upstream (i.e. with the Gate, or with other typical power moves such as a dedicated line(s)) and work down from there, testing the effect of adding each piece as you go.
As what the Gate does is entirely different from what transformer based or other conditioners do I have no difficulty seeing these as complementary rather than mutually exclusive -- the sonic results certainly bear this out.
Obviously this does not really answer your question as to which gives the best return for your money but at least you can have some confidence that you may like the results from having both.
My personal bias if in your situation wold be to start upstream (i.e. with the Gate, or with other typical power moves such as a dedicated line(s)) and work down from there, testing the effect of adding each piece as you go.