lots of choices in that price range. you will get a lot of different answers. but if it were me, i would go with a chandler ltd-1 and pick up a used u87.
or check out a wonder pre.
you could do a lot with that much money depending on what you now have.
if you have a good mic than you could do an ltd-1 and an a/d unit,or you could go with a mp1nv and some monitors or a u/a 2192 and an mp1nv.
Today, if I wanted to spend that much, I would probably buy the Pendulum. Tomorrow I might choose something different though. Like maybe a Chandler LTD1 and a distressor.