Some more suggestions:
- Unison Research Unico
- BV Audio A300 (I -think- that's the right model, do a search on them/it)
- The NEWER Pathos Classic One as mentioned by Marco (closer to $2k, maybe you can swing a deal; don't go for the older one, though)
- Audio Analogue Puccini SE (only 50wpc, but they are very musical watts)
You may be asking too much for a $1500 budget, but I think many or any of the above, along with the Plinius recommendation, is good.
- Unison Research Unico
- BV Audio A300 (I -think- that's the right model, do a search on them/it)
- The NEWER Pathos Classic One as mentioned by Marco (closer to $2k, maybe you can swing a deal; don't go for the older one, though)
- Audio Analogue Puccini SE (only 50wpc, but they are very musical watts)
You may be asking too much for a $1500 budget, but I think many or any of the above, along with the Plinius recommendation, is good.