There's plenty of options for 1500; Reilly, Orlowski, Rychtarski, Burls.. just to name the few. Both steel and ti. 2-3 hundred more ( can "survive" this
) gives me fully custom geometry at some, for others it's even to much € ( Polish builders ) , it's not necessity for me, just it can't be "slopping"- this I can't stand.. or I do if it's "negative slope" .
From off the shelve it's enough money for DeRosa Corum f.e.( but not limited to ).
Disc brake is not an option. Already have disc braked bike ( under construction- weirdest bike I ever built for myself BTW
) and don't need another: this I have doesn't have any issues caused by "modern" frames ( internal housing rattling, pressfit bb, flat mount, thru axles... And will serve as commuter and crosser.
I want road bike. Without +7-800g addtional weight ( to already not the lightest frame ) and ugly overpriced levers.
Drivetrain: it happened I have some DA9000 bits lying around ( was cheap, so bought it for "future" ) , choice has been made though( and I'm fortunate enough to say that Tiagra nor 105 won't happened to my bike
if I couldn't say that it would be rather Veloce/ Centaur, for the same € performance is unbeatable in comparison).
Soldered frame ( steel ) is no bad thing. I would say it's better than welding at some point. Many framebuilders do it, succesfully.
Indeed, I've heard of issues with Ti bikes& welding; basically about all brands. Being not the lightest guy on bike it does somehow pushing me towards steel or alu ( 85kg, low cadence 1500W+ in short sprint ).
Another thing is you can read that "ti is for life" ( durability ? ) but "steel ride like no other"
BTW Happy New Year !