Preamp recommendation

anthem str pair looks awesome, but 10k price tag is out of my range. 

Are you looking for a 5 channel analog preamp?  (this means that you have a 5 channel source that is producing analog signals, such as the analog output from an Oppo 105/205).

Or are you looking for a preamp/processor, that is taking digital input such as audio from HDMI or digital COAX and decoding and converting it to analog output?

Ah, anyways, you're budget is very constrained.  Here's what you could probably realistically do:

Outlaw Audio 976 processor: $929
Monoprice Monolith 5x200 amp:  $1299

It's above you're budget, but it's worth stretching it.  It would be very hard to find something below this.  You can get a cheaper processor, but then you're looking at the very old stuff that is 12-17 years old (Krell HTS, Proceed AVP2, etc.).  These older devices are typically starting to fail around now.

Parasound amp would be okay.  The Parsound sound is slightly warm with soft rolled off highs.  That Parasound HCA-2205A amp on audiogon is an example.  I suspect the Monoprice Monolith might be a little cleaner and higher resolution.

Classe CAV-150. Classe SSP preamp. Get the analog stereo to roll with. 

I have an OPPO 205 analog out going to preamp. I don't need anything with a DAC. Just simple analog pre and an amp.