I think the choice of such things comes down to synergy with the amps you are using it with. I can highly recommend Cary's SLP-50A. Sounds wonderful with my SET amps. You'll have plenty of change left over from your $1k to purchase that Close-and-Play turntable you've been lusting after too. You'll need one as the Cary is only a line stage pre. The Close-and-Play uses two 'D' batteries and has it's very own integrated amp and speakers!! One of the great audio bargains on the used market!! The SLP-50A is also a great bargain IMO. Stone-simple two-tube design. Built like a tank. I would say it's 'sexy'...it looks better than any of the closed-box solutions. They can be had with an optional remote, and either a gold or black face. The older versions, like the one I have, came with the most gorgeous solid billet aluminum remote I've ever seen, which may break some of your toes if you should drop it on your foot. Newer versions of the SLP-50B (uses 6922 family of tubes instead of 6CG7's) more likely will have the newer plastic remote more on par in quality with that Close-and-Play turntable (the remote that is). Cary also offers some upgrades that I've been told make a significant improvement in the sound by installing oil caps. You can do this yourself if you're down with the circuits and wrangle a soldering iron.
I'm realizing as I'm blabbering on, that this is a frequently asked question here. You may want to take some time and search the archives for further answers. There are plenty of great box-solution tube pre-amps on the used market in that price bracket, but I wouldn't call them "sexy". OK, I guess the Blue Circle does have that neato blue light on it, but it's still just a box. Among other excellent choices might include Audible Illusions 3 series, Quicksilver, and various ARC models to name but a few. All are pretty boring boxes. All are great bargains for the money you will spend on them, and have the potential for being a great asset to your system depending on what you match them up with. You might want to mention the rest of your system. That way you may get suggestions from folks who've actually used the pre's they are suggesting to you with similar components.
Marco
