If you want tube, the Freya is likely the absolute best for the budget. It can sound really excellent with some choice tubes.
For solid state, there was a suggestion for Gustard P26. I think that would be the way to go. On the P26, you can actually upgrade one op amp in each channel (since it's a socketed op amp). Put in a Burson Vivid V6 or a Sonic Imagery and you have a discrete Class A analog stage!
For solid state, there was a suggestion for Gustard P26. I think that would be the way to go. On the P26, you can actually upgrade one op amp in each channel (since it's a socketed op amp). Put in a Burson Vivid V6 or a Sonic Imagery and you have a discrete Class A analog stage!