I finally found the amp I've been looking for: A Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. It sings!! I can plug my Strat straight in, no effects whatsoever, and it sounds better than anything I've ever played through. I love it! I bought it yesterday, brand new, and I've been rattling the windows ever since ... in fact I think I'll do it some more.
Here are the stats if anyone is interested:
http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0213202000