i'm using HTC, been using HTC androids for quite a while, and now I say NO NO to HTC because their screens are CRAP, full stop.  I've lost interest after I tried out other phones, the SGS2, the LG Optimus 2x (also using this), the Optimus 3d, all of these phones have much better screens than what HTC provides even though the resolution of these phones are smaller.  Look, a touch screen phone with a huge screen (4" and above) really needs a good display, at least an IPS, without a good display it'll look like crap.

if u can wait, the Galaxy Nexus is your best bet.  If u can't wait, there's nothing wrong with the Note, or even the (now cheap and fits your budget perfectly) SGS2.  If u want something special and don't care about updates, the LG Optimus 3d is very very good.

about SENSE, there is NOTHING SPECIAL about it, i've tried ALL of SENSE versions including the 3.5 (custom ROM), u'll get bored within a month, so SENSE or no SENSE is not that big a deal, I'd prefer stock android any day

look, if u don't believe me, go to any shop (SENQ or whatever) that displays demo units for u to play and compare these side by side (HTC vs SAMSUNG or other brands) and u'll know what I mean.  personally, i prefer a normal IPS screen than the super AMOLED display because the colors are more natural, that's why i'm still loving my LG.  But it's a personal preference.  I have great eye sight and color differentiation, so any slight difference of display i can tell easily how good are they.  I chose HTC previously because at that time they are the leaders of android (and because the galaxy S first gen is so darn expensive), now it's a different story