It's the old diminishing returns, crazy prices for tiny improvements, maybe. I've been through 2A3, 300B, PX25, EL34 etc with front horns, back loaded horns, open baffles, etc. Now I get as good with a Sony receiver I paid £69 for, phono stage is excellent, just means I have to use a separate Dac.
Sony STR 6055 Denon DP80 Stax UA-70 Shure Ultra 500 Zu omen Decca C4E currently in residence
Office system, DIY CSS fullrange speakers with aurum cantus G2 ribbons Najda dsp as dac Akai AM-U02 Jvc QL-A51 direct drive turntable
SAE1000LT leema sub. JVC Z4S cart is in the house
Garage system another Sony receiver, cassette deck and full range drivers in free air
System components are subject to change without warning and at the discretion of the owner.