You might consider relaxing your requirement for a phono stage, because you can add an external phono preamp for a couple hundred dollars and buy yourself much more flexibility.
I've owned several tube preamps under $1000. IMHO, the Marsh P2000t is the best bang for the buck. It has just the right amount of warmth, but is also clear, transparent, and dynamic. It's a steal for half of your max budget used. The Audio Mirror T-61 is a great preamp (around $700 used) that has a nice warm sound with good, solid bass. (Disclaimer: I might be selling mine soon.) The Cary SLP-88 is warm and round, but weak on bass (at least with stock 6SN7 tubes). I've also heard Consonance tube preamps that sounded good for the price.
Michael
I've owned several tube preamps under $1000. IMHO, the Marsh P2000t is the best bang for the buck. It has just the right amount of warmth, but is also clear, transparent, and dynamic. It's a steal for half of your max budget used. The Audio Mirror T-61 is a great preamp (around $700 used) that has a nice warm sound with good, solid bass. (Disclaimer: I might be selling mine soon.) The Cary SLP-88 is warm and round, but weak on bass (at least with stock 6SN7 tubes). I've also heard Consonance tube preamps that sounded good for the price.
Michael