I'm a big fan of the DIY amps, over commercial offerings. IMHO the DIY amps from reputable builders can be just as reliable and offer a LOT more sonic bang for your $$$. Of course you loose out on that "bling" factor that you get from a commercial product.
M^3 for a forward, dynamic and warm sound.
PPA for a more "dry", open, spatious and airy signature. Get one with a bass boost for added warmth. The PPA bass boost is unlike any I have heard, in that it adds a sense of surround and ambience to the bass. Its not the typical night-club, thumpy dumpy kind of bass boost, although it will certainly do that if the recorded material calls for it.
A Pimeta can be a stunning performer, IMHO the pimeta is like a less refined M^3.
Millet hybrid. Tube warmth without most of the tube hastle. Solid state hybrid reliability and speed / detail resolution.
If you get an amp with socketed OP amps you can really fine tune the sound to your liking.
Surf around the F/S forum, the recent surge of sub-$200 porta-amps have slowed down the mid-fi DIY amp sales.