Budget amp recommendation needed

78 dB has to be wrong. Also, are you talking about a power amp, which has been suggested above, or an integrated amp? If the latter, two come to mind, Rega Mira 3, and Portal Panache (if you don't mind the lack of a remote).

I like McCormack and B&K amps, lots of muscle and fine sound.

CJ MF200 here for cheap. Owned 1 puts out 250w a side.
Liked it better than Odyssey.

At your stated price range, I think it is very difficult to do better than a Musical Fidelity A300 integrated amp. Run $7-800 used, put out 150wpc. Have mm/mc phono input and remote. Don't need $$ for interconnects between pre/pwr.

I personally like the sound of MF A series (made in England).

You don't mention the specific speakers or your source, but this is my $.02.

Regards,
Paul

A second for the Odyssey Stratos w/ 120K caps, available right in your price range. Will drive most anything, has lots and lots of current. If you lean towards soundstage, dynamics, and detail, hard to beat. Not very warm, though, if that is your preference.