I Know you said no ARFs but I wouldn't limit yourself so much. I only have ever had 2 ARFs in as many decades but Really like them both. I got the chance to fly a couple of the Radians and they fly just to nice to blow off. And you don't have to chase a high start with them.
My most recent ARF #2 is a Reichard Mefisto 2 meter FG fuse with wood over foam wings.
It has required enough BUILDING that it must an AARF almost almost ready to fly
But it looks nice and I got it on fleaba^ at a good price.