Welcome Woody. Just a little confused with what you mean by "with or without preamp". The Parasound P5 is a pre-amp!
Are you really asking if anyone has used it with an external PHONO pre-amp as opposed to its built in phono pre-amp? It already has a MM/MC phono stage. My suggestion would be to use this one first and see how you like it. Lets hope actual P5 owners comment on how it performs.
WRT your question about TT's under a grand, I believe the Pro-ject RM5.1 SE at exactly $1000 is the best value package out there. It comes with a Sumiko Blue Point No 2 high output MC cartridge that alone costs $400. Also, its 9CC Carbon tonearm retails as a stand alone item at $700. This tonearm is also being used by high end manufacturers like Oracle on their 5K Paris model and also on some Linn models. So its a very well received tonearm. This would be my recommendation at your stated budget without hesitation. I am sure you'll get others too.
Good luck and have fun building your system brother!
Are you really asking if anyone has used it with an external PHONO pre-amp as opposed to its built in phono pre-amp? It already has a MM/MC phono stage. My suggestion would be to use this one first and see how you like it. Lets hope actual P5 owners comment on how it performs.
WRT your question about TT's under a grand, I believe the Pro-ject RM5.1 SE at exactly $1000 is the best value package out there. It comes with a Sumiko Blue Point No 2 high output MC cartridge that alone costs $400. Also, its 9CC Carbon tonearm retails as a stand alone item at $700. This tonearm is also being used by high end manufacturers like Oracle on their 5K Paris model and also on some Linn models. So its a very well received tonearm. This would be my recommendation at your stated budget without hesitation. I am sure you'll get others too.
Good luck and have fun building your system brother!