Recommended pre amp's w/excellent phono stage

Audio Research SP-14 has an outstanding phono section,
and great input versatility. It can be found used
for around $1K.

MFA Magus, Counterpoint SA-5000, SA-3000, Audible Illusions Modulus, Audio Research SP-6.

If you give an info about your amplifier it would be much easier to throw for your choices. Also how many components you need to hookup to your preamp?
IMO I would not interfear with Counterpoint gear since its service is under the BIG question on the market but used ones are sold at a small fraction of a retail price solely for that reason.

This is a cool web page for some affordable preamps with phono. While not a complete list of all the good pre amps it will suggest many.

http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Preamplifiers.html

Ron

I have been happy with my Classe CP-35, to which I've added the optional phono card. This is a daughtercard, so nothing is external, it just turns your first input into a phono input. Supports MC/MM. You are left with three regular inputs (in addition to the phono) and 1 balanced input, as well as tape in/out.

List price for the combo is about $1550, but the CP-35 used is often listed here for $500-$800. I haven't seen the phono board sold here, but even if you pay new price ($250) for the phono board, you're still within the budget.