You are correct; to build a pre-amp of that calibre would in fact run plenty. The upgrade status however; well change might be a better term since hopefully this will sound so that upgrade is no longer a factor! I think most older tube stuff sounds good enough that the average music lover would be happy ad infinitum. The features are probably the real sticking point since many like the convienience of remote and such. But again you must want to do this; just wanting good sound, well that is available fairly priced. Your points are good ones and understand I am just playing devils advocate here because after all I do this because it is worth it to me. And a guy like yourself who does good work has that as it's own reward.