How much $$ do bells and whistles add to preamp?

I have to have remote, XLR in and out along with RCA inputs and outputs .   Bare bones other than that .   No internal DAC , would probably get an outboard phono stage ….

Do you want a classic stereo preamp or more of a DAC that serves as your preamp?   

Hard to answer your question but that’s probably a good guess of if it were not including DAC.  The thing about preamps is they are becoming more like DACs with volume and inputs   Some DACs even have analog inputs.  
 

I agree , some of the best sounding preamps are minimalist designs .   I prefer separate everything as it opens upgrade paths and helps put off obsolescence