Hi Russ! Welcome to the murky world of MAS; Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome! Be warned, one will not be enough. I have a lot of mandolins, but the best all-rounders in your price bracket I've played lately are Rigels and Eastmans. Rigel a-naturals are not all that common, but are available. Personally I would stretch the budget and look for a Rigel A+ Deluxe. Loud, sweet, and plays like butter. Eastmans are made in China, by the same guys who make really good violins and archtop guitars. They've transferred their skills seamlessly to mandolin making, and their A models are an absolute steal at the price. I played one that blew away a very nice Collings at four times the price. If you are looking for that old-timey sound, then look around for a teens Gibson A, although these are starting to get pricey for a good example.
Good hunting!
Tim