I need suggestions and ideas in picking a preamp.

SS or HS PREAMP to get the BEst....

Only you can answer that one. Either can, or will, GET YOU great SOUNDS per se. The deciding factor could wind up being a mix of tastes and prerequisite functionality... remote, phase inversion, HT by pass... ETC., AND BUDGET.

..... DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU CONSIDER 'BEST' as being, in fact. My - 'our' best may differ from your own.

Around here, 'best' is simply too too ambiguous a word and carries a vast and varied assortment of definitions. it often too is just a wry inside joke.

For me, best is usuaally tube oriented power, with SS front ends.

Preamps in no real order:
Dodd
Thor
BAT
VTL
AR
Cary
CJ
... all tube pre's.

Cabling is even more indistinct ground to cover. A solidly good choice straight away would be the Cardas Neutral ref without spending too much money. Moving up further, the HT magic, SR Resolution Ref x2 active, (from pre to amps)... IMO. It will let you know just what you have on hand... and until a preamp is decided upon. Thereafter the sky's the limit.

I've tried and liked MIT Magnum, SR Resolution Ref, Cardas Neutral Ref, HT Magic II, Nirvana SX Ltd., and others... depending upon what pre with what amp (s).

Either go the A'gon shuffle, (buy & try) or rent some from the Cable co. and try em out that way.

go with BAT balanced and quiet. interconnects wouldn't matter. you can get $20/pr Mogamy XLR and try them against Nirvana or Cardas NR etc...

I agree with Blindjim's mention of cable upgrade so you can hear what you currently have equipment wise. First I'd pull the Monster Power Center and hear what happens, my experience was a big improvement when I pulled mine!!! If there isn't a big improvement upgrade cables than try again.