???What's The LEAST Expensive "End Game"Amplifier You've Ever Heard???

For me it is Audio Research REF 75. Have it for about 6 years.

KT120 tubes have been replaced. Never looked back. 

Nice lush, well defined sound. Sufficient power.

Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Twenty.  Warm tube-like, detailed & excellent at low volume.

For me it's the Schiit Ragnarok 2 I currently own. I don't think I can afford to go up one level it might be MY end-game.

It does sound very good and gives a glimpse of real high-end amps. Upgrading would require me to upgrade the speakers also, probably looking äta combined cost of $10k or so.

After 50+ years of using tube amps, my end game at lowest (not just cheapest but best for money) are the Westminster Labs REI monoblocks for $33,900.  Compare to Vitus, Boulder, Griffin, CH Precision, etc.  Small, powerful, shortest paths with fewest parts, Class A and much less expensive than competition.  End game amps.

Hmm. If fewer parts =better sound then why are some of these amps so darn expensive?

Just get rid of the spam parts and lower the price! Problem solved!

I’m only half kidding. Not all parts are created equal.
 

When people say “better sound” all it means is better to them. Lots of good sounding fish in the sea at all price points. Mainly you need an amp capable of driving the speakers to their max. Beyond that a lot simply comes down to personal preferences.