Anthony:

I think the other issue is economies of scale. They just don't sell that many tube hi-fi amps anymore. They're kind of like audio jewelry. You can get some tube stuff from China for a reasonable price, but any of the tube stuff made in North America is going to cost a lot of dough. Think Audio Research, Conrad-Johnson, Cary Audio Design, these are boutique, limited production manufacturers with (relatively) high labor costs (as in Made in America) that are going cost a pretty penny.