Best Preamp New or Used up to $3,000 ??

PS Audio BHK tube/solid state hybrid preamp. Rock solid build and fluid musicality. List price is $6000, but go online to The Music Room in Broomfield, Co. and work a deal on a new or very clean used. Under $3K is very doable. They WILL deal, they just can’t post prices online per PS Audio marketing rules. They’ll also buy your current equipment a very reasonable prices.

@firstnot,
I recently got a Rhumba 1.3 and love what I am hearing.  This is my first tube component. Now I am about sure if it is a Solid state Vs Tubes or Active Vs Passive, but the imaging created by this preamp is amazing! I am waiting on a Cullen Crossover II power cord, to replace the stock power cord that came with this preamp, before I update my system pics.

The AVA Fet Valve CFR Hybrid is very nice also at $2500 with phono and $300 less without. 

Forgot the Atma-sphere UV1 

A lot of good suggestions above. One thing, where you said this...

Separate quality Power supply, Dual Mono setup, Quality components. Remotes (except EAR)

Are you saying you want reco’s with these attributes? Would we assume no Phono ever? For now I’ll ussume not.

As always, system synergy, and matching the owners musical priorities are key. Nothing I can say should get in the way your experimenting and finding your own way.

Not mentioned thus far:

Wyetech
Supratek
MFA Lumi 
VTL
ASL Flora
Coincident CLS

Some of the above could have Phono included in them. A few, depending on where in a manufacturers lineup they are may be within the budget, where other might stretch it slightly.

if you’ve got some fun money to try something out, buy it used, live with it and see it make you heart sing. If not keep changing it up until you can pinpoint the one. I owned 4 of the above plus a Modwright and a Audio Research. All have there strengths and weaknesses. My journey found that my ear really seamed to prefer 6SN7 based Pre’s more than the others. I found what works for me. I hope you can find your utopia. While you might find inspiration here on the boards, nothing will better in home evaluations first hand. Good luck with the journey!