Suggestions for Phono Preamp


I'm interested in a decent phono preamp in the $1,000 area code (plus or minus a few hundred) for my Rega Planar 3 and I have a dynavector 20x2l mc cartridge to work with a tube amp which has both rca and xlr inputs. 

Here's the thing. I really don't like those tiny switches, especially when you have to open the preamp to get to them. Also, I hear that it is best to play around with the gain but how do you do that if changing the settings is a pain in the rear?

There are some preamps with the knobs for settings but they almost always are in the back and, again, that drives me crazy. Why can't the settings be in the front so you can easily access them and make changes/adjustments so you can actually hear differences? 

Anyhow, if anyone has suggestions, I'd much appreciate it.

dz13

Find a used ear 834 tube phono amp if you can. 
1 switch for mm/mc, you can tube roll, outstanding. 

Another here for Parasound JC-3 Jr.  I used it until I decided to upgrade my cartridge and went full blown JC3 +.  It’s like spending money on something that’s not even there it’s so transparent.  Hard to beat at the price, IMHO.

I would also go the SUT route along with a dedicated MM stage with no switches, like the Darlington MP-7. I have a Ned Clayton Cinemag 1254 SUT and it sounds fantastic in every way. 4 different gain settings and 3 ground positions, never heard my MC setup this quiet before. 

The more research I do on this, the more I'm confused because everyone has a different idea of what sounds best. It is also a little annoying that you have to buy a preamp for your TT that may be more expensive than your TT and cartridge combined just to amplify the sound. I may have found something though. I don't think it has been mentioned but does anyone have experience with the PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamp? 

@dz13 I don't know why you would want spend more than half of what your TT cost. It's just not going to make a difference above that price point. I have the same TT as you do, and I am super happy with my $600 preamp.

When you have a 10K turntable, you might want to have a higher quality preamp, otherwise it's putting formula 1 pirelli tires on a Golf.