OTOH, I could just
stick an emitter follower stage on the end of the amp chain and have
done with it. :-/

Paul-

Now that you have a good grip on the problem, consider one more idea - that
most audio amplifiers have more gain than they need, and operate with the
volume control set at a fraction of full range.

If you were to use a series resistor (27 or 56 Ohms?) and NO transformer, would
the output stage have sufficient power to produce an acceptable audio level
with the volume control advanced?

73, Fred, K4DII