Looking for an inexpensive low power amp with exquisite sound

The old Forte solid state amps sound great for the money. They usually sell for around $500 and were designed by Pass. If you don't want to deal with old equipment, Audio Advisor has a Nuforce STA200 amp they are selling for $500 that is getting some good press here. 
https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NUSTA200

Music Reference RM-10

I agree with tomcic601 the RM-10 is a great choice and works great with passive preamps. I run mine with W4S STP-SE into Reynaud speakers. Designed by Roger to drive his personal Vandersteen 2C speakers which it did with my 2CE Sigs with ease. The Nuprime badged Job amp is also a really good amp and a bargain. I could hear no difference between it and the Job 225 it was based on. There is one for sale for a good price on US Audiomart now.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649450510-music-reference-rm10mkii/

+1 for The Nuforce STA 200.  A steal at $499 on Amazon.
Read review in Absolute Sound.

Here’s the review:

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/optoma-nuforce-sta200-power-amplifier/