No Budget Amp?

I'm a little confused why you put a post up about a budget amp, when on the same day you posted a question about which integrated is the best of your list. And a couple days before you posted another "best integrated" thread. Are you building two systems?

Money or no, a McCormack DNA 0.5 in it's stock form or in a Revision A rebuilt form could more than suffice.

In it's stock form, it is somewhat of a legendary piece in that a number of reviewers (Stereophile and others) placed the DNA 0.5 a competitive second to the $30k Krell Reference Standard about 5 years ago.

You can find them on Agon used for about $600 stock to $1500 for a Rev. A.

-IMO

I'd strongly suggest you decided on your speakers first.

If you would like to try tubes, the jolida 102b is even a bargain new at $750.00. Used, you can find one for around 500ish. If you just want an amp, how about the Antique Sound Lab WAVE monos? Aren't they just $300 a pair? I know it's all relative, but, for me, the best "budget" amp I've heard is a Rogue 88. They go for about 750 here on the 'gon for the non-magnum version.

BUT, Unsound is right: if you have 86db speakers, tube gear'll be a little outta your range.