Take this for whatever it might be worth. I agree with Mcpody to add Threshold to your list of candidates. I have a FET-10 which I took to a phono stage shoot-out at a friend's house. The benchmark was a Manley Steelhead. Out of six audiophiles present, three preferred the Threshold. For under $1K it would be hard to beat.
re: phono preamps; is vintage ss any good?
is high quality solid state amplification from the 70s and 80s any good by modern standards? The question includes older ML, McIntosh, etc., which can be a relative bargain. I am wondering whether I must upgrade my c. 1985 DB Systems db-2A preamp (I am using only the phono section now, which was widely respected back in the day). I love tubes and share many audiophile's objections to the sound of ss, but it is hard to complain about modern high-dollar ss. I bought the $250 Bellari phone pre based largely on Fremer's rave; it may have tube warmth, but lacks acceptable clarity, imho, and I quickly reverted to the db systems. New phono pre's can be very dear, and I wonder how high up the food chain I would have to go to get acceptable sound, or if it's necessary.