Looking for a Phono Pre less than $1500

Aqvox phono MkII, but your arm has to be wired balanced.

2nd the Aqvox.You can use their RCA/XLR adaptor until you rewire.Great phono section.

I am using the Simaudio LP 5.3, and am very happy with it. Plenty of gain and loading options to match any cartridge, and the sound is very big and open with excellent width and depth of soundstage. The details are there and more importantly the musical impact is there. Haven't heard many options though, so don't know how it compares to the other options in your list.

I have gone from the Dynavector P75, to BAT P-10se, to Ayre P-5XE. All were nice but at the present time I am using the Sim Audio LP5.3 and like it in my system more than any of the others. Lots of options, great big, open sound. Balanced and SE outputs and in the near future an outbaord upgraded PSU will be optional for it. They are 1500.00 new and used go around $1K give or take a few bucks.

Here is the location of a review of the Audio Horizons phono preamp:

http://www.10audio.com/audio_horizons_tp8_tp2-1.htm

It meets your operation and price requirements. From experience, I can say that Audio Horizons equipment is an excellent value.