I'm in the market for a new office chair, would like to keep it around $500 - $600 if possible.  The Steelcase Amia seems like a popular option and would fit the budget.  Anyone have any experience with it?

I haven't tried that, but I love the steelcase leaps the gov't has everywhere.

Like Dan, I don't know the Amia but love my Leap.  I think Colin has a Leap as well.

I like my leap. 

I have been using a Herman Miller Mirra for several years now and still like it a lot. It's about your price range.

Another Steelcase Leap user here.  I like it about as much as I've liked my various Aerons at offices, but it's a different experience so YMMV.  I don't have experience to compare it to any of the other current ergonomic chairs.

Bah, just saw this. I love my leap at work. I have an Allsteel Sum Chair at home, which is pretty decent, but the Leap is a step up, definitely.

I got mine at madisonseating.com, which sells refurb/used/whatnot. Mine Allsteel was in very good condition, and even though there was an issue (they had the mid-back when the high-back was pictured), they offered a partial refund that made us both happy, and they offer a 10 year warranty on what they sell.

**BRENT**

I need a chair without armrests for guitar practice.  Bonus points if it can double as a desk chair.  Any recommendations?

http://www.madisonseating.com/criterion-armless-chair-by-steelcase.html
 

This is what I used before the Leap at work. It was good, but not as good as the Leap. The price is right on the Med back one, though, a buck 25 delivered. Those guys take a while to ship, but if you were looking at budget options...

I'm pretty sure a Leap is made without arms. Here's one

http://www.etail.com/leap-armless-chair-by-steelcase/

etail.com is another place like Madison Seating, a liquidator, but I'm sure you can find a place locally that sells Steelcase and try things out/shop new.

**BRENT**

This being head-case, I love my steelcase gesture and highly recommend it.

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Thanks, Brent, that was actually really helpful.

That said, I wouldn't mind armrests that fold away.  I have a tendency to fall asleep in my desk chair, I really don't want to fall over and bump my head on something and knock myself out.

Glad I could be of some help. The arms don't fold away but they do go down quite a bit on each chair I use. I just checked and my Allsteel arms go down at least 5" from what I have them set up at.

It looks like you can unbolt them to remove/swing them down, but it's not designed for that.

**BRENT**

I managed to fall asleep in a desk chair and roll out flat onto my back once.

Doesn't matter, still had a good nap.