You'll have trouble finding a great tube amp under $1,000. The best ones usually use output transformers, which eat a lot of the cost of construction. If you want other niceties, like DC on the filaments, chokes, and other things that improve the power supply, you'll run up $500-$1,000 in parts before you even get to the case or labor.
But there are lots of nice solid state offerings. I'd drop $300 on a Dynalo before considering any of the cheaper tube amps. The M^3 is quite special, too, and I've seen them go around $500 if you don't DIY.