Best 70+wattt tube amp under $2000 suggestions?

A used ARC VT100 MKII is almost a "no brainer" IMO at around $2K used. It's rated at 100wpc but is probably conservatively rated. Lots of power to drive "most" speakers. It's probably more neutral sounding than "Tubey" sounding. A used VTL ST-150 is another good idea. Also, a used C-J Premier 11 is a sweet amp, but only 70 wpc. I don't know how much power your speakers need however?

On the other hand, if you want to save $$, & can really get along on 70wpc, a used VTL ST-85 for hopefully less than $1000, depending on age, can be a really good deal. It has kind of a "classic, tube amp" sound IMO, as opposed to the more neutral ARC sound. Maybe you should really think about how much power you need? There can be a huge difference between tube amps rated at 70 wpc vs. 100 wpc. (Count the # of output & driver tubes for a start). And I'm guessing that VTL is something you should check out given that you want a "liquid" sound--Good luck!

If you can use a conservatively rated 60 watts per channel integrated, there is an Aronov LS-960I for $950, just posted on Audiogon. I already own one, and can vouch for its quality performance, especially at this ridiculous giveaway price. This unit, when mated with the right power cord, exhibits explosive, beautifully controlled bass, to accompany its musically natural, realistic, full range sound.
No, the seller is not my brother-in-law :>)

cary v12, i've used this amp with tyler linbrooks for quite some time now and have no complaints.
depending on the music i'm listening to, the triode setting (50w) has been more than sufficient to drive the linbrooks. if i want to rock (i.e. listening to mahler, bruckner, gov't mule or zakk wylde's black label society) i flip to ultra-linear (100w).
the v12 accepts 6L6, el34 (stock tubes), 6550 (my choice at the moment), kt88 and kt90, so its versatility is extended.
i imagine quicksilver v4's or the new 100w monos (close to your budget new) would be good choices but i have no 1st hand experience.
i used a rogue 88 (not magnumized, about 35w triode, about 70w ultra-linear, conservatively i'm told) before the v12. the rogue was a very good amp and can be found used for about $700-800. it has been replaced with the rogue 90 i think. mark o'brien @ rogue is a stand-up guy, no bs and was nice enough to personally repair a voltage regulator in his sjhop while shooting the !hit with me last summer. you could probably swing a used pair of rogue 120 monos which can be updated to the current 150 monos. check with mark on this, he isn't that hard to reach and always a pleasure to talk to.
also, i haven't tried them myself, but i imagine aes six-packs would drive the tylers nicely. aes is a division of cary and the 6-packs are based on v12 tech. i think they accept different tubes like the v12, but i think they are limited to 50w output. they are $400 over budget new, but used (if you can find them) should be within budget easily. some say they are as musical as the v12 without the flashy look.
"best" is subjective, so take any suggestion with a grain of salt. it would be best to audition any of the amps suggested for yourself.
hope this helps.
happy hunting.