Who makes great active preamps ? Tube or solid state or hybrid.

The new dual chassis VTL is superb
+++ for Jim White at Aesthetix
ARC always in the hunt, love my ref5se
the Backert is also hyper affordable

sleeper in the USA but Brinkmann doing some great things....

in a fire and forget SS the Ayre KX-R is pretty amazing

Audio Research, Allnic, Moon, BAT, VTL

I'll second the very quiet noise floor of the Veloce Lithio series II, battery powered....loved it.  Liked it better than my VAC that preceded it.Now using VTL 6.5, v2 and loving it.
Are you using mostly single ended, or balanced? Need HT bypass, or to switch sources? Volume control? Tubed or SS amp, need to match impedance...lots of variable, but all above are great preamps, with good recommendations....must be hard to find local auditions. Good luck

That's good, many choices. You calmed me down. What about tube Japanese preamps ?
And if having to choose one company that  makes both great preamps and power amps, besides I am sure some European solid state, what would your choice be ? VAC and CAT ?

I’ve been very happy with Simaudio.  Had a 350 P which I really liked and I am now just selling because I upgraded to the P5 Limited addition