Which phono preamplifier do you recommend?

Herron VTPH is kick ass

Try the LEEMA? It's supposed to be very good, and it's under 1K.

Herron vtph 2 does kick ass but is out of the op's budget. If I were shopping in that range I would buy the bottlehead Eros at $700. In fact someone compared it to the vtph2 and it was only a whisker behind. I built the bottlehead Beepre and it is the best preamp I have ever heard with a few mods and some upgraded tubes. 

I think Sutherland makes really good ones around $1000 or less.  I have a PH3D and so far so good. I can't compare it to higher $$$ pre's because I have never owned one.

Tons of phono amps out there under a grand,,,and im no expert as I do digital most the time.Having said that I really like the new Jasmine 2.5du ,two piece unit,the build quality is fantastic.I upgraded the caps with Mundorf but into it for under $700 new.I liked it better than the Lehmann,Musical surroundings I tried.