A Reality Check, I can visit a UK Based Electronics Engineer, who has specialised in Sound Production for more than 40 Years, having worked with many many Artists of whom some are well known, as well as Recording Studios/ Production Studios. The same individual has built a loyal customer base, spanning over many years, who are enthusiastic about Audio, of which I am one for close to 30 Years.
This individual is one of the rarities and in my view, qualifies as being a Valve Guru, when it comes to these devices used in circuits.
I know for a Pre-Amp:
A Client could ask to be produced a Bespoke Circuit and Topology (probably £400 for the time and a simplistic Bread Board Layout to get the general feel).
The Parts List with a selection of Boutique Components and Tranx's designed for optimised performance 'if required', will come in at approx' £1500 as a expensive option.
The Chassis can cost anything from £100 - £600, the end user will determine how their chassis will aesthetically appeal, hence the cost variation.
The Pre-Amp will be built at approx' £45 per hour, with the overall build and extensive testing coming to a final build cost of approx' £1200-£1500
The search to surpass a Unique for a Customer, Tailer Made Amp of this quality in the 'Off the Shelf' Retail World, will need a Budget of 3-5 x this outlay as the minimum.
My suggestion to the OP is to have their friend evaluate the posts within this thread, and see where their is attraction to them, it is their monies about to be put up to be parted with.
