suggestions for high quality but inexpensive amps

Ric Schultz at EVS (www.tweakaudio.com) is working on that very thing right now...inexpensive, but great amps (mono blocks too). I'm not in the market for an amp, but if I were I'd definitely consider giving him a call. I highly doubt you'll find anything better for less anywhere. They will use the digital switching technology so they can power anything and run cool, and his goal is to have them compete with multi-thousand dollar amps, sound-wise. My experience with his products (his DAC 2, modded transport and digital cable) has shown me that his sound quality to value ratio can't be beat. He believes in keeping the signal path simple, using great parts, and has an amazing ear (or two). There is no doubt in my mind that his design will be excellent.

I have a pair of stellavox mono's... PW-1's that would be terrific. These use the latest job 4 circuit and are about the size of a paperback.
You would have to stretch your budget a bit ($2300 pr) but I don't know of anything better at or near this price.
Of course you must consider my bias :-)

I drive my Helicon's with a Sim Audio P3/W3 combo. Sounds wonderful. You could even try the I5 integrated amp.

Bryston makes a good 3-channel amp,nice if you could do some demoing on these choices,good luck,Bob

Odysse Audio makes some wonderful monoblocks that are very reasonable. Call Klause Bunge. He will help you out. I don't own them, but have heard them and they are a great value and reasonable