I am a Blaze King owner and can say I would not go back to a regular secondary burn equipped stove (tube or perforated baffle) by choice. The long burn times, operation simplicity, smooth linear heat output and wood usage reduction of a Cat equipped stove are really true benefits. In a Cat stove consider the BK's and Woodstock's. Both are industry leading and widely respected. My last Catalyst lasted 4 years. I kept it for a back up as it was in fine physical condition but getting slower to react. If you have questions regarding my experience with Cat equipped stoves, feel free to PM me. Anytime. Or post here.
If you decide to pursue a Non cat model then by all means the PE stoves are well respected, as mentioned. You can likely find a half dozen non cat stove manufacturer's that generally offer similar performance. The one non cat tube stove I really have been personally impressed with is the Drolet HT2000 model. Considered a reasonable priced stove it outperforms its cost. It is now called a HT3000 in the states to meet the new EPA criteria. There are a few users posting HT3000 results on a couple other wood burning sites. Worth researching. If I was going back to a non cat it would be that stove. Priced right. Quality construction. Great burn times with super heat output. I helped a buddy install the 2000 a handful of years ago. Its been very impressive since.
17Ft straight up and out sounds great.
There is a HT2000 F/S on C.L. just north of Albert Lea. It is brand new, never fired. However the owner stored it in a shed and it needs cleaned up. Food for thought.