The Curado K would be the reel I'd pickup for that price range. While I haven't tried every reel in that price range, I stick to what I know and have. The K is plenty strong and very smooth. 

I will just throw this out there. I have a few reels I would be willing to sell if you are interested. They are all MINT condition inside and out. I have a 16 Scorpion 70xg that I would sell for $180, a Scorpion MGL xg that I would sell for $190 or a Scorpion DC hg that I would let go for $200. I can text pics if you are interested, you can PM me. I was thinking about listing them here but haven't decided for sure yet if I want to sell them all but they are in your price range.

I agree, stick to mid to higher end Daiwa or Shimano reels and you will be good to go.  I really like the price/performance of Daiwa products personally.  For the price, the Tatula SV TW is a fantastic reel.  It can be purchased for around $150 if you look hard enough.

Curado K, tatula sv, Lews tournament pro all are excellent performers for $150 and if you were blindfolded you would be hard pressed to tell a difference in performance. For $100 the SLX is hard to beat. DCs are trainers. I would recommend them for kids or for someone with money to burn and learn how to skip with which is what my Curado DC was used for after I learned that the cpu takes away performance from my cast. Now it sits in a box awaiting my daughter to get interested in BCs. For a $200 budget I'd get the SLX and invest that extra $100 into your rod budget. The rod is what makes the difference and there is more separation between a 200 to 300 rod than there is a 100 to 200 reel imho.

The only DC reel I have any experience with is an older Excense, and that is very limited.  No thumb was needed as long as I didn't start going below MAX.  Have to say I really enjoyed the reel the little I got to use it.  BUT...I personally feel learning good thumb control is a must.  You will never regret that.  Besides...it gives you an excuse to get out more.  You need the practice. 

 

It seems you prefer Shimano.  My only experience with Shimanos is with older models with the exception of a Scorpion 70 I bought about a year ago.  I felt it wasn't as easy to dial in as the others had been.  The SLX has been getting excellent marks.  I may be forced to buy one myself.  The Bait Monkey is one strong dude. 

 

My advice is always to buy the reel that interests you the most.  Most likely you will regret it if you don't.  And then buy one anyway. 

If your a shimano only kind of guy hunt down an older core.