The Ayre AX-7e retails for $3500.00 but can be found used for under $3000. If you're able to run it with XLRs, almost nothing else in your price range can touch it.
Once caveat is that that is does not have a "warm" sound, and with the wrong speakers can sound sterile, and more than a bit fatiguing (for example, keep the AX-7e FAR, FAR away from Magnepans). If you prefer a warmer sound, a Plinius 8200 MKII might be something to consider. FWIW, I owned the Plinius, and sold it to get a store demo AX-7e.