Preamp recommendation $300: see desired features

The Rotel RC1070 can be had for $300-350 and has a "contour" switch, not tone controls, and is defeatable.It has a nice phono, tape, remote. I don't recall if it has a headphone jack though.

Another option that is worth considering is a Sherwood-Newcastle AVP9080r. It's a 5.1 pre-pro that can be purchased used for $200-300. It has a remote, mm-mc switchable phono, a Tuner, two channel bypass mode, tape, tone controls, headphone jack, in addition to DD5.1, DTS, not to mention 5.1 analog inputs.

I'm using one for 2 channel only in my den/shop, and it's actually pretty good, especially for the money. It's not too bad as a low cost HT Processor either. I can't offer an opinion on the quality of the phono section, except that it doesn't compare favorably with my Musical Fidelity . . . but we're talking a lot of $s

You can get NAD 1600 pre/tuner's with remote for around $200 used. Older model, but I really like the sound of the older NAD stuff. Smooth and sweet, but very little sound stage compared to more expensive equipment. I am listening to mine in my office right now!

Good luck,
Paul

Another reason why I think the RC995 is worth the extra money is that it has a serious phono stage, not just some circuit board to accommodate phono.

The phono circuitry in the RC995 is derived from the stand alone Rotel RHQ-10 phono stage which had an MSRP of $1900.00 back in 1993. The Rotel RH line of products were of a much higher quality than anything they've made before or since. The RC995 is possibly the best non-RH 2 channel stereo preamp Rotel ever sold, although I have not heard the RC1090.

I'll second the NAD 1600. Very nice unit.

Look for an IRD Purist in the used market. This is one of the best $1000 valued preamp for very low price.