Recommend The Best No Frills Preamp up to $5K.

Rogue RP-7

I'm vinyl only too and went through this process not too long ago. I landed on the EAR 868. Outstanding. End game for me. 

In that $5Gs range, you might be able to pick up an Audio Research Ref 5SE, which is a very nice preamp.  If you can find some 6H30P-DR NOS tubes at a reasonable cost, get them quick!  Go to an ARC dealer and see if he'll let you audition it at home.  Be sure to let it warm up, and give it a fair amount playing time before passing final judgements.  Happy hunting.  :)

I agree with helomech regarding potentiometers being the weak link in many preamps.  I’m amazed when rather expensive and otherwise well conceived preamps are invariably described as having a “high-quality Japanese blue velvet potentiometer”.  One is a $12,900 preamp from a manufacturer mentioned above that uses a $30 part to perform arguably one of the most critical functions.  Many times they will not make it obvious what part they are using and you have to look for pictures under the hood.  I move right along whenever I see a potentiometer.  

Aric Audio preamps. The Super 6Sn7 is excellent at $4,625, the Motherlode II is brilliant at $5,750 as long as you don't need XLR connections, and the Motherlode XL at $6,875 is one of the 2 finest preamps I've ever heard.....magical, pulled my entire system up another level.

Don Sachs/Lynn Olson Raven preamp at $6,395 (sold by Spatial Audio Labs)  is the only preamp I know of that comes close to the Aric's Motherlode XL.....brilliant