Can anyone suggest a good 2-channel amp for $1500

A 100 watt tube amp even used is a rare animal for $1500. That being said I have heard hat the Mcalister 150 which delivers 75watts RMS per side is suposedly very good and cost less than $1,000 brand new. The used Rogue maybe in your price range but I personally didn't like the sound. There are a ton of SS amps that would make it but they are not anything like a good tube amp. I use both types.

Although Bryston doesn't make my favorite amps, they make good sounding ones without a doubt (at least the ones I have heard). And if you are buying used, Bryston's 20 year, transferable warranty is a tramendous plus. Of course the reason they can give this warranty is that with their gear you are unlikely to need to use it - an even bigger plus.

I also see no one has recommended Arcam. Though it is a bit of a "rare bird", the AVR200 produces a very warm, musical sound. It is rated at 85 wpc, but the power management circuitry makes it seems stronger. You can usually find them for around half of your budget, leaving plenty for cables and music.

Good listening.

Do you think that going for less than the max wattage for the speakers (100 wpc) will result in less sound quality than the speakers are capable of producing? I don't want to go too crazy and overdo it and blow out the speakers - that being said, if I do go the integrated amp route and the wattage is significantly more than 100wpc @ 8ohms x 2, how can I avoid blowouts? Are there safety circuits that will keep me (or the kids) from damaging my speakers?

Thanks!

Belles 150A @ $1495 msrp.
Belles 150A Reference if you can find a pre-owned one should be in the price range you're looking for.