For 300 bucks you should be able to get a nice used Fender Tube amp. I bought a 1978 Vintage Fender Pro Reverb 2x12 amp. It's a killer amp. You could also get a Blues Jr. for about that price. It's a 1x10 cab with full tube circiutry. I would actually go for the Vox or a Fender over the Valvestate. Valvesate is a hybrid that has a tube preamp section, but is powered mostly by solid state power. This won't give you as rich and lush as a full tube circuitry would allow. That's what I would do....but my best advice would be to go to every guitar store in town and play every amp in your range...and buy the one you like the best! Nothing will sound better than what you think is best.