Leon - understand that you're on budget, but seriously IMO, Vandersteens really deserve something better than B&K. Hopefully others may suggest a reasonable alternative pre. How about a beautiflly eye-catching classic Luxman C5000A - I know of one that's available; email me for details (or not).
You like tubes - perhaps a Rogue 99 with remote?
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?preatube&1035596457
You like tubes - perhaps a Rogue 99 with remote?
http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?preatube&1035596457