Budget Audiophile Looking For Amplifier Suggestions

Another vote for McIntosh, and where to buy I would recommend Audio Classics. They are located very close to McIntosh Labs. They are a reputable and very reliable company to deal with. Steve Rowell is the owner and Ryan Kilpatrick is one of the sales staff, and I have had the pleasure of talking to both by phone or email. I’m sure they will have something within your budget.

I bought a MA6200 back in August, and I have been very happy and a very happy with the whole transaction.

at that price, i would go for a good Marantz in the upper line, little else will beat it at that price, unless you can find an old XA.30 Passlabs or a FirstWatt.

Odyssey Karthago  Klaus is a great guy.

I have had great luck with older Classe  gear made in Canada . Plenty of power and beautiful sound . I am currently running a Classe  Model #10 power amp at 100wpc and a Classe Model 20 Preamp .I bought both pieces refurbished and should be good to go for another 20 years.Sound is a little on the dark side and I love it .Sounds very much like my friends Mark Levinson set up .Good luck in your quest . 
P S I also had Adcom gear in the past and was always impressed with the product but the Classe  gear is a major step up .

McIntosh has a signature sound that does not appeal to all of us hi fi people.  Some think of it as being a notch below what really good gear should sound like despite it's universally appealing blue meters and stunning prices.  It is solid stuff, made right here in the U S of A and nevertheless, must be  in high demand to sell for those prices, which are never on sale, if new and current.
I own an ancient SS small power amp by McIntosh, which synergizes remarkably well with my old Klipsch La Scalas and Heresys.