Best affordable phono preamp?

I can second the ZYX Artisan. Neutral as neutral can be, and very low noisefloor. I don't have long experience with it, and haven't listened to more than a few rivals but I am very happy with it.

My choice would be the Art Audio Vinyl One.

I've heard a few different phono amps but can't say that I've A/B'd any $5K ones. The best phono amp that I've ever heard (and others who have heard more than I concurred) is the John Atwood designed Artemis Labs. There are two versions the PH and PL 1 - the difference being the addition of transformers for LOMC in the PL 1. The PL-1 lists at about $3K so it's well within your budget.

BTW, the Lector CD player is great. I didn't splurge on that because my main love is vinyl but I thought that the sound was superb.

For half that money look at the Ayre. I tried one and it does an outstanding job. So spend 2300 on it and 2700 on vinyl.

love the vacuum stage jlti in my system. check out the one on sale here for info.