You should be able to buy a Linn LK1 without remote for that amount. It's a great buy, having both a MC and MM phono stage and a boatload of inputs. It uses XLR connections for everything except the phono stage which is RCA. There is a stepping sound when adjusting the volume and balance controls which is normal.
Cheap Old Preamps
I'm helping a friend look for a cheap (under 100$) old (tubed would be great but not necessary) preamp, and was wondering if you all had some ideas for what to look for (probably on eBay). I've been tracking some Dynacos, but the tube ones tend to exceed our budget. Are the SS daynaco preamps just sucky? His sources include an AR/XA TT and a really old Cambridge CDP. Amplification is a 40 wpc (I think) SS McIntosh amp (model unknown). Thanks.