Best Tube Preamp with Phono under $2000 ?

I sold Mac for years and they are great products maybe not last word in resultion (both tube and SS) but musical.Newer CJ stuff is better than older but still very "tubey" (warm and plenty of "bloom").I am not sure about ET-2 but am sure it's better than PV series.with lot's of bloom though they have cut down noise.Check Modwright 9 SE or a used BAT.I mention the Bat because they allow for mono and polarity and there are a few used that would be available.A old standby is the Audible Illusions 3 is same design for years because it does offer value.The Cary is good.If you can go with minimalist design look up a used Dodd Battery powered pre.Maybe a tad more than your budget $3K new)but tubed and quiet as hell since it's off AC grid.

I just saw an MFA Magus on here for $995. Simply the sweetest pre I've ever heard. Great tube stage phono pre built in.

What amplifier is going to mated with this preamp? Impedance matching is key.

For example, the Juicy Music Blueberry has a 3.5 kOhm output impedance. It
must be mated with an amplifier having high input impedance.

Be certain to check the output impedances of all the preamps you consider, and
check that they will properly match with your amplifier. If you have a tube amp,
then your possibilities are pretty wide open. If your amp is SS, then you need to
be very careful with matching.

Anu, any comments so far?

Not sure what amp your using but there is a BAT VK-3iX w/phono new in the box for 2100.00 here, now for sale. Full warranty.