Best Pre-amp for $500??

Get the aragon 28k preamp if u can find one.
I have owned it for 20yrs.
In those years, it beats all my new purchases to replace it. Musical fidelity ac3r, rogue audio, simaudio 740p.

During my process to upgrade it, i brought it for comparison with accuphase 2410, ayre kx5, ayre k5xemp, jeff rowland capri, mbl preamp, the aragon never paled in comparisonin terms of Clarity, openess and dynamics.

I finally bought the sim 740p based on reviews and without audition.

Sold the 740p after 3months. 

Still stuck with this vintage, its simply irreplaceable.

Oh yes, forgot to mention it also sounded way clearer than the mark levinson 326s

well, I answered your thread for a $400 preamp.... The suggestions here are similar...
When you get to that $700ish price point,  things change....
At that price I would look at an Adcom GFP750 (Only this model in Adcom).... I would look for a Muse Model 3 or Model 3 Signature if possible.  I would look for a Bel Canto Pre 1.   These all sound Great, the are all single ended or balanced,  they all have remotes....
I hope this helps,
Tim

Thanks but it seems that none of those three have digital inputs. The Aragon 28k seems to only have RCA analog inputs too, based on Google searches.
The Cambridge 851C seems to be a CD Player, DAC, and pre-amp (digital only) all in one case. That would solve my clutter problem for sure. Is the sound quality comparable to or better than a Cal Audio player?

https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/851/851c

Edit - I do not see any analog inputs on the back panel so it looks like I cannot use my tuner with it.

Digital inputs?  as in Optical?  USB?  Coax? So,  you are confirming the questions that you want an on board DAC?  I can understand that.  I would only comment that the quality level of a few of these preamps mentioned are far above anything that you will likely find at their price point with a built in DAC.  I could be wrong.... I can say that I've tried a few under $100 DACs and have been pleasantly surprised.  I'm sure that you could also get recommendations there.... On this tread and the last, Classe CP35 has been mentioned.  I have seen these on Craigslist (might have been a CP30) for as low as $300 and they do go regularly for under $500.  Not as detailed as some of the others, but smooth and musical....
Good luck with your search.