Expensive Tube Amplifiers

@joeycastillo your comment backs up exactly what I was saying previously in this thread. 

Replacing speakers is certainly a consideration but when you have your heart set on great speakers and have heard their potential it is hard to go backwards in sonics.

Replacing components can be the start of a deep rabbit hole which can be stressful. Unfortunately prices of newer high fidelity audio equipment has rendered them unattainable for many audiophiles; which is why vintage hifi gear continues to be very popular. Vintage gear such as the afore mentioned Heath kit, Harman Kardon and others like Dynaco can sound really good and won't break the bank. Are they the best match for newer designed low impedance inefficient speakers? They can work but will probably not be able to achieve the speaker's potential. The only way to know is to hear different set ups in your room. I was fortunate to have access to four other power amplifiers (mostly vintage) and purchased three new ones before getting my rig dialed in.

I recently visited Deja Vu Audio and was able to listen to 3 amps in a similar price range, Audio Note Oro, Soro SE and Western Electric 124. I was amazed at how good the WE sounded. I brought a second pair of ears with me and we discussed we would not converse during the 1st listening session. Both of us without hesitation liked the WE better. I know it’s subjective and there are flaws with the WE, a little bit of hum when right on top of the amp, but the sound is worth the negative aspects. So, I’m the newest owner! 
I don’t think age matters but quality of the design and parts. 

I keep hearing great things about the WE 124 amp.  Atmasphere mentioned an all-differential amp as a way to greatly reduce distortion, and there you have one right there.  I's build one for myself but it's really not enough power for me.

What’s strange is I had an 8 watt 300b that I ended up selling because of the lack of oomph for my liking. The WE 124 sounds like it has way more drive and power. I was looking to go to First Watt or Pass Labs but then heard the WE with very similar horn speakers and was impressed. Pre amp volume at 60% and WE set at 25% has my ears maxed out. I had to push the 300b to 90% and felt it started to tire and get loose. Perhaps it’s just synergy. Either way, happier now. 

I've been an Audio Research fan for many years. I never owned an Audio Research amp, because when I was buying an amp about 25 years ago, the Audio Research amps sounded bloated. I don't think they do anymore. Which means that Audio Research did a bunch of audio research in the meantime.

I have owned a number of Audio Research preamps. Although they're not amps, they will make my point. I owned a Reference 2 and Reference 3 preamp. The Ref 3 was a lot better. It had a much cleaner sound.

My point is this: I can't simply take on faith that somebody writing in this forum is a better engineer than the folks at Audio Research. So, if they keep learning and improving, I would have to assume that an amp of your design would also have shortcomings, and probably far worse shortcomings that the pros at high-end manufacturers.

It's like guys who buy drivers and build their own cabinets and swoon at the sound the way a father does at his newborn. If a company like Sonus Faber takes years and years to keep perfecting the integration of their drivers and cabinets, does that count for nothing? I own a Hovland Radia amp that I love, and Bob Hovland said it took him 25 years to design and build his only solid state amp. And he was a top-rate engineer. 

So, I don't take it on faith that high prices on audio equipment are not worth it. Or that a guy who understands electronics could build a better amp. Although, I do believe that if you build your own amp, you will believe it's better. And in that case, maybe it's worth it.