HELP!!!! Newbie looking for a decent 2 channel power amp in the $1,000 range

Might consider a PS Audio S300 (class D).  You can pick those up for ~$1k used.    And +1 on The Rogue Suggestion and Parasound.

No preamp, just direct from a DAC?

I second your aversion to Emotiva. I tried one of their products and found it bright and just not what I would call hi-fi.

Van Alstine Vision SET 120 Power Amplifier, $1,199.00.
https://avahifi.com/collections/power-amplifiers/products/vision-set-120-power-amplifier
Have not heard it. But circling back to preamps, his Transcendence RB10 preamp is terrific - both musical and accurate.

Kept waiting for pre mention as well.

Some good stuff above.

LSA New-Chat with Walter. He loves to deal.

Van Alstine. More $ but next level for sure. Be respectful.

Parasound. Any JC gear may be your best bet. Talk to Phil.

Don't buy anything over 5 years old. 

+1 for the Schiit. If you get in in your set up and it does not fill the room (which it will) you can save up and for $600 over your top end you can run two as mono blocks. Just make sure you know your neighbors.

+3 on used Parasound amp