Are you gonna stand mount these? What is the output of the amp you've got your eye on? Is this for audio only or A/V. The higher the output the more flexibilty you will have in the speakers you choose. Robert Harley seemed very impressed with the Focal Chorus 706V in the most recent issue of The Absolute Sound. They are a two-way design using a 6.5" mid/bass driver so you will get respectible full range and have 90db sensitivity. And they are just $595 a pair.

The Metronome 7.7 Mark 5 would be my choice for under $1k (they are $850.00 direct from the manufacturer) but they have an eniqmatic look that might not have enough appeal for you but they're sure to be a conversation piece. They are physically time aligned for a seemless transition between dirvers and they are also a sealed box enclosure design which will give you tighter bass with more timbre than their ported contemporaries.

There are lots of tube intergrated amplifiers out there that will give you 50 watts a channel or so. I'm partial to the Prima Luna Prologue Two based on all of the wonderful reviews this thing is getting here and overseas and the price. I'm interested to know why you are interested in tubes. The Prologue is self biasing, by the way.

NHT Classic Two's would be a speaker recommendation, also.