Big beautilful tube amp

Look at the Art Audio Carissa. With 845 tubes, all chrome finish, optional chimneys, blue LED's that project an etherial outline of the chimneys onto the ceiling and outboard legs its definitely quite the show. May be a bit pricier than your stated limit.

Older VAC 30/30 or 70/70. Beautiful array of 300B's Nice Brass vintage VAC
Medallion, great sound.

i will second the V-12r recommendation. that 'jaguar carnival' red is down right sexy and seductive. enjoy a gander at Cary's sight and/or check out a-gon's classifieds. hfisher took some lovely shots of his V-12 that do the piece more justice than Cary's commercial sight. also, doubt you'll be thinking you've taken a hit in the sound department.

cheers

I second Cary or ARC

I'll second Velo62's recommendation of Art Audio. Their Symphony and Diavolo in polished stainless steel, (looks like chrome), look great at night plus they have an antique crystal that lights up a pretty blue for each channel. As a bonus, they sound great and Joe Fratus, owner, is a great man.