This amp is a fancy gain clone.
The only thing my Modulus-series has in common with a gain clone is the LM3886. The Modulus amps all have error correction built in, which is how they achieve such high performance. If performance is not your thing, that's fine. There are other options that you might find more enticing, including the gain clone (though Chipamp appears to have gone out of business).
Pricing: I run a low volume production
business. As a
business I have to charge more than the production cost. That's how businesses make money. If I charged at or below cost, I would not have a
business; I'd have a hobby. This has been discussed ad nauseam on DIY Audio. You will always be able to find something cheaper on eBay and you are certainly free to do so. I compete on quality, characterization, and customer service.
I think a more reasonable price comparison point for my Modulus series would be Hypex. Another comparison would be the Aspen NAKSA/AKSA series, though the Aspen products are of considerably lower performance.
Tom