Best Budget Preamp, whats out there?

The Audio Experience Symphonies tube line stage is available on ebay new for $400, including shipping, direct from the manufacturer. It is equal in sound quality to anything in the $1000, and even above, price range, Uses 3 12AX7 tubes and a 6X4 rectifier. Throw away the stock tubes and put in some NOS Amperex, Mullard etc and you will be in shock at how good this thing sounds.

A great choice would be a McCormack TLC-1. It's designed to fit perfectly with the 0.5 and can be found for $300-350.

A used Adcom GFP-750 would also be worth considering. It's a very fine preamp, and at used prices (usually around $750) it's a great value.