There’s a chance the traditional price ratio equation is being up ended now with class D …. Combined with direct to consumer sales model.
I listen to a wide variety of music, and my speakers are quite efficient - so my recommendation for something to try completely different it’s not about volume
I had Aragon amplification and then Parasound.
I have a BAK tube preamplifier… And I’ve never been happier with my current amp.
a Buckey Purifi 3 channel (et400a)… the 2 channel version is $1095
It’s not harsh, it simply feeds my speakers, whatever my preamp feeds it…. Which is drastically good. Sound stage imaging tone, etc. It’s like a wire with gain. Only XLR input tho.
I like it so much that I’m moving it to my Home Theater set up (LCR) and I’m waiting on a pair of Purifi monoblocks to arrive next week. So in my case I will end up with a pair of amplifiers ($2k total) which cost 1/3 as much as my speakers (custom half size, Tekton Ulhbrects) and 1/4 as much as my preamplifier….
So for $1100 you can try out the 400a stereo amplifier - and focus on your pre-amplifier and speakers and sources.