Please read and help me

I have a decision to make and I don't know where to start. I have been through several upgrades in my system and they were not always the right choice. I recently changed preamps and did not like my choice at all.
My system: Rogue magnum M120 mono's, Proac Studio 250 speakers. Vpi HW19jr TT w/ grado Reference sonata Cartridge. And Graham Slee Era gold phono stage. I just recently tried the Blue Circle BC3 pre and I didn't like it at all. I gave it 1 month and just couldn't take it. Some music it was the best I ever heard and others it was not comparable to my previous Rogue magnum 99 it replaced.
Well, I have sold the BC3. Now my wife has asked me a favor. She said if I take the money that I got from the sale of the BC3 and use it to pay are slip fee at the lake, in the fall I could buy any preamp I want. Of course I am jumping on this chance because I will be spending most of my free time on the boat anyways this summer.
Now my problem. I am looking for a cheap pre to get me through to the fall. $500 - $700.
I have looked at several choices. CJ pv series products. I see a AE-1 going cheap, and some ARC sp and sl series products. I want the sound a tad laid back. I listen to a lot of 70's rock, and with the BC3 it was just not a pretty sight. I want a lush sound and not overly bright. Can any of you experts help me make a choice here?