I think the best value vs. sound at your budget can be had from Transcendent Sound. Most of his amp kits are OTLs but he also has a push-pull KT120 that I think sounds very good. The owner/designer is a bit full of himself and his soft skills suck but his stuff sounds better than it should at the prices charge. See what atmasphere says above about SETs. I found this to be exactly true with 8 ohm 96 db efficient speakers.
SET amps
What tubes are a good balance of great intimate sound and budget? Any suggestions for amp kits and builders? $1500 budget Or so. Any options?