May you suggest a NCore stereo Amp + an external Dac that would set you back only 600$?I dont see the built in dac as a positive. Alternatives would be any ncore + external dac (for 600 you can get a setup thats superior to this, especially considering price difference). For a little more than 1000 there is eigentakt prebuilt stereo on audiophonics at 1400 which would be absolute endgame with much more power than this for little more money, relatively speaking. Another option would be going for vintages, but thats a headache to do the research imo.
If this thing was priced in the 500 range then i would be quiet but for 1000 they are just being greedy and we should not let them price things as they please, its part of the problem why so many things are overpriced in the "audiophile world"