I highly recommend the Ray Samuels Emmeline CA-2 solid state preamp. If you can live with just 2 inputs this preamp competes with units in the 5K range. A brand new CA-2 is only $695. There is an excellent review on this unit from Dick Olsher that provides plenty of information. Very transparent and tonally accurate. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0903/samuelsemmelineca2.htm
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0903/samuelsemmelineca2.htm