http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?t=4347
Any thoughts on the "tube based input buffer"? (I'm not even sure what it does


but I'm always skeptical when tubes start being used.)
You don't need a tube to make a decent buffer. So there is an element of Voodoo here.
You can buy a Quad 909 for less than that, and that will almost certainly last you the rest of your life, and give very good results indeed.
My number one recommendation for a two channel amp in the 250 watts per channel class.