For your budget, if you could find a Forte Model 2, that’s a SWEET little preamp.
The Mod Squad Line Drive is the predecessor to the McCormack TLC-1. Same designer, Steve McCormack and both are pretty decent.
Also, a Classe Thirty or a Classe CP-35 are around your budget.
The Emotiva USP-1 is nice preamp and are selling for around $250.