best bang for the buck tube preamp?

Sound Valves VTP-101i meets all your requirements. The phono section is there, but it represents a superb bonus for some subsequent buyer if you ever get restless to upgrade. Reasonable price, probably less than $400 when purchased used on Audiogon and eBAy. Occasionally comes up for sale.
I have placed it in many different systems, without hearing any significant shortcoming.
It will even inspire you to try a tube amp once you see how fine tubes can sound.
In my trials, it far outdid my stock Dynaco PAS-3, and it doesn't require internal upgrades to be fully competent.
Just choose your footers (such as Herbie's Tenderfeet), and power cord of your choice, and prepare to be impressed.

Surprised nobody has mentioned the Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 or better yet, the Signature version if you can find it. Here are links to two currently listed SFL-1's.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1166227036

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1164755622

BTW, they also come with a black faceplate.

HemiDakota (Dodge guy?),

Forgot to mention- the phono stage on a stock DYNACO pas3 is exceptional. Not the end all- but pretty sweet. In case you ever wanted to spin some records- it's really there...

As suggested before, the PAS2/3 in stock form is pretty pedestrian- but it's an absolute rocket ship for someone trying out his first tube pre. It's certainly not INcompetent. Ask around. Upgrades can transform the little PAS into something most peoples' budget would not allow otherwise.

And due to their overwhelming popularity and long run- they are ALWAYS for sale. There are a huge amount of forum threads and websites dedicated to these little gems. Support, parts, and just about everything else for them is readily available.

Such can be said of the bottlehead Foreplay, too. It's a classic. 2 very good choices, trust me.

Check out the entry level Tube Preamp from Space Tech Labs. some reviews can be found here and other forms that will hold it's own against those costing $2-3K all for $480.

I would agree with Valve_and_vinyl. Nice assessment.
Happy Listening!