A used pair of LS3/5a's and spend the remainder on music. Or splurge and buy the new Stirling version of the 3/5a.

Why does it have to be bookshelf? Personally I'd go for a pair of vanersteen 1C's (great for jazz or anything else for that matter, bad if you have kids or cats). If you're willing to use a sub you could put together a wonderful setup using the small magneplaners and say, a B&W sub. $800 for the sub and $299 a pair for the maggie satellite type panels and maybe a little more for stands or wall brackets. I'll bet it would be outrageous for the money.

I auditioned quite a few speakers at all price levels, both floorstanders & monitors. My personal preference has always been monitors. Needless to say I feel in love with a superb sounding monitor, the AAD 2001. To my ears they simply are magical in there ability to convey the music. They simply do everything right. If you can find a local dealer they are absolutely worth a listen. It might be tough to find them on the used market with your specified budget.
http://www.questforsound.com/speakers/spkrs_aad2001.htm