Preamp Suggestions for hot-rodded Odyssey Khartago?

I have had an Odyssey Stratos HT3 since 2006.  It was first used with a HT pre-pro, then a Conrad Johnson PV-11.  If you can abide the limited feature-set of the C-J, used units, when they come up, are in your price range.  Great MM phono section, too.  The sound was excellent, but since I needed more range in the balance control than the C-J offered, I upgraded to a McIntosh C220.  Now out of production, used units are probably a tad over your budget.  I bought mine used from Audio Classics.  I recently upgraded the HT3's left and right channels to full Kismet status.  The match is great, although the Kismet is a bit more neutral and less warm than the Stratos, and less forgiving of bad source material.  Still, on good recordings, this pairing really sounds great.  Spacious soundstage, excellent detail, decay, and explosive dynamics.  I would try to get something with tubes in it if possible.  If it's still around, there is a Croft preamp for sale here that is cheap.  I haven't heard it, but Croft gear is highly regarded.  Good luck. 

@bondmanp Thanks, one of the things I have to compensate for it that I don't listen to "audiophile music". So, though I have seen CJ stuff used I haven't really given them much thought as I believe I read/am under the belief that CJ stuff is tube/mid heavy for jazz and vocal material. Maybe thats not correct?

Funny you mention the Croft as I have been reading about them lately. Ugly but all signs point to a great sound for the price. 

@georgehifi  I hear ya, but I wouldn't say that to them. If I was buying 10 of them I would, but I doubt they care about a single complainer (not that they are indifferent so much as busy).

@gochurchgo - I do listen to Jazz, and classical, and thrash metal, and punk and lots of 80s rock...etc.  I would not have been happy if the C-J was incapable of doing rock well.  I think the C-J preamps that were older, like the PV-5, had the softer sound you were referring to.  That said, the C-J would probably not be described as ruthlessly revealing, either.

@bondmanp Thanks, thats good perspective! I am not after ultimate fidelity (HERESEY!) but rather a nice sound. I have tons of badly recorded + mediocrely pressed reggae albums, I don't want to render them unlistenable. I like detail and dynamics and speed but will give up some resolution for warmth and a "safer" sound to help those bad records out a touch.

I'll take a look at the PV11