SS Amp Designer by Reputation

Don't take this the wrong way but I'd avoid the pitfalls of a popularity contest. The same caveats you raise about reviews and discussion would apply to any list that anyone cares to come up with.

Having said that, there's an amp maker named Liu, from China, who's fond of the Swiss approach to amp design. Think champagne taste on a beer budget, without the bloat.

The amp is the Kinki EX-M1 and there are two versions that both come under your price limits. I have the first version and I'll die with this integrated.

All the best,
Nonoise

Second McCormack. DNA 1, and done. Why shotgun when you can nail a bulls-eye first try?

Assuming used is okay and you have been a tube guy. I'd look at SST Son of Ampzilla 2000. Pass has some models that x tube guys like. You didn't say how much power that you needed. I don't see a tube head liking any PS Audio all solid state amps, any affordable Krell, I could see you leaning towards an older Jeff Rowland.  One of the better old pure class A amps that are properly rebuild might work... Kinergetic KBA75?  

I owned a Rowland Concentra I for years, and thought it was outstanding. However, they are getting a bit old now, and the design is not independent-tech friendly, so re-capping, etc., could be expensive.

You definitely want to stay a way from older Krell amps Like the KMA and KSA series. They used an insufficient number of output devices and were under cooled. Many of them blew their output stages.
I am a Pass fan if you can find a decent unit for the money you plan on spending which is unfortunately not likely. You might find a used Sanders amp for that money and they are a great value if you like the sound which is more like the Boulder amps. If you could save up to $5000 you might find a pair of JC-1s which blow everyone away. McIntosh is always an option if you value reliability over everything. They have a very comfortable if slightly veiled sound quality.