Reasonably priced 2K Phono Preamp?

Audio research PH3 SE version can't be beat from all the many, many, many reviews i've read. stereophile rated A, hybrid design and if you can find them used (rare) they go from $1,500-$1,600. if you find one for that price and dont want to buy let me know and i'll take it.

The PH-3SE (which I owned) can easily be beat by the Sonic Frontiers Phono One SE (which I now own). The Phono One SE new can be purchased from underwoodwally on Augiogon for less than $2k.

pctower: i had the sonic frontiers phono one and wasn't too crazy about it. how is the sf phono1 se version different and is it drastically so?
thanks

I suggest an Audible Illusions Modulus 3, then add NOS tubes(Seimens are working great for me). Excellent phono stage. Very good all around performance. Tough to beat for the money -- well under your budget even with premium NOS tubes.

Kublakhan -- compared to the SE version, the standard was dry and uninvolving. It was correct, top to bottom, and seemed to resolve most of information on the record, but it had little emotion. The SE version is warmer, and, due in part to its increased midbase punch, seems more dynamic. It brings fun and emotion to listening, without sacrificing the standard's resolving ability, soundstage and top-to-bottom coherence.

Hope that helps.