Reading through this thread, I realize that $800 is exactly what I spent on the pre and power amp in my living room system. $450 for a heavily upgraded AES (Cary) AE-3 tube preamp and $350 for an Adcom GRA-5500. Both used, of course. So for me, about 56/44.
Of course, after buying upgraded tubes and getting the preamp tube sockets repaired, the cost for the preamp was greater. :-)
Of course, after buying upgraded tubes and getting the preamp tube sockets repaired, the cost for the preamp was greater. :-)