You are correct about that transformer. That sucker costs about $70 alone. I'm talking with different transformer companies like Cinemag, Lundahl, Sowter, Altran, and Edcor to try getting a high quality yet low cost transformer.
As of now I can get the Edcor transformers for about $10 a pop. I've used them in other builds including mic preamps and compressors with good results.
I'm trying to keep the whole build less than $50, but not making sacrifices in quality. It'd be the only full featured reamp for under $100 that I know of.