Best Pre-amp for $500??

Do you mean without built in DAC and plan to add a separate?

Without DAC or remote capability If a remote wasn’t mandatory there are some very good sounding used preamps by Sumo, McCormack micro drive, Sugden AU-41, NAD monitor series come to mind, Bryston 0.5.

RC preamps at and under $500 Classe CP-35, also research Rotel and Nad they both make a handful of modestly priced good sounding preamps. Personally I would look for a Classe 35. I know there are two currently for sale if you perform some searches they shouldn’t be difficult to track down.

A new Jolida JD 5T (tube) goes for about $500 with a remote controller. No DAC though. I think there is one on sale here. 

Does the CP-35 have a built-in DAC? That is what I need. I can’t find much info on it online.

BTW, I am hoping for better sound quality than a NAD.

Wow, a preamp with DAC, RC, providing 2 digital and multiple analog inputs, and sounds better than NAD and sells for $500. I also would like to know of one.