Help me pick a phono preamp

Do you also consider replacing the cartridge and adding a record mat, something like Boston Audio Mat 1 or Achromat?

There are so many choices for under 1k used. But I think, and you said it, that the first step is to decide whether to go all tube or not, or it depends. You will hear different opinions. I myself do not deal with tubes in phono preamps at this price point. I believe that you really need to spend thousands and chose carefully to make it right. Probably all the phono stages that you mentioned would be quite good, but they all will sound like junk compared to,say,LAMM. If I were you I would begin upgrading from the source, that's from the turntable.

Denon 160 is $200 new cartridge? And you want to get a $2000($1000 used) phono stage? Sim LP 5.3 would be great but what a waist.

First, there is a Simaudio Moon LP3 on sale at musicdirect.com for $350 new. It is not at all 5.3 but might be an improvement in your system; and you can send it back if you don't like it.
Now let me tell you what I did though it cost me $1.5k not $1k. I had a Pro-ject Xpression table/arm with cheap Sumiko cartridge and speed control box and Pro-Ject phono box SE. I sold all that and got used Nottingham Spacedeck/Spacearm, new Dynavector 10X5 cartridge and new Moon LP3 phono stage. The difference is huge, this is not just an improvement.
Within a few years I will replace the cartridge, the phono stage and my Audiolab integrated and will add motor controller for the turntable. Nottingham will stay for a very long time until (if) I am ready to spend really big money. I might also get a better arm but only if I plan to add $2k or so cartridge which is not very likely.
So..you can approach the upgrade subject in more than one way.