Pass Labs Aleph P can be had in your price range. This is a really cool preamp, $4000 new, Stereophile class A. It gives you a choice between passive and any amount of gain you want to induce. I use it in it's passive mode most of the time. Sometimes the amp needs some help and I turn up the two gain knobs to a level appropriate. Each input has it's own single ended class A Mosfet. What's more, it comes with a great remote.
Under no circumstances do any Pass components exhibit coloration or brightness.
Under no circumstances do any Pass components exhibit coloration or brightness.