Sounds like you're a lehman black cube guy. Check out some of the past threads by searching in the chat rooms. Lots of detailed opinions. Black cubes sell new for 700, and used for 4-500ish. They have excellent, detailed sound & also don't need their own shelf. I've heard that rotel makes a pretty good one for 200. The Mccormack phono is supposed to be good too, but I've never heard it. Check out the music fidelity a3 preamp at www.audioadvisor.com. Stereophile liked these quite a bit. AA has some other low-cost preamps too. I'm using an Audio research ph-3 with my rega 25 and getting great results. Those are phono only and sell used for 900ish.
best pre-amp for less than 1000
I have gone Vinyl and now realize what everyone has been saying. Sure analog is more labor intensive but the rewards are also greater. For lack of a better term, analog has "soul", something that even the most ridiculously expensive digital play back systems lacks! Anyways, I have a Rega Plana 25 with RB600 arm and ClearAudio Aurum Beta "S" cartridge (what a combo for the price!). I am using a Bel Canto Evo 200.2 amp and frankly have been disappointed with the amp. Why?...um, no soul! Anyways, I am using the phono section of a Pioneer Elite reciever (yes you heard me right) I tried the EAR 834, but ouccchhhh, it was horrible sounding. I don't know if it was the particular unit I had but the sound was dead, congested and mostly very dark and VEILED! The Pioneer sounds better. But, I am thinking I can get more from the records if I had a better Phono Stage. So help me out guys. Here is what I am looking for: A detailed, open, airy, large soundstage, transparent and most of all MUSICALLY ENGAGING phono stage (stand-alone phono stage or part of a preamp) that costs less than 1K!!! Yes, you heard it right, less than 1K (I would definately consider used gear). Thank you in advance for your suggestions.