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

@richdirector 
>> "Valve input MOSFET out"

All tube in signal path. The MOSFETS are constany current sources for the line stage/buffer.

Halgorythme made by a French music lover:
http://www.halgorythme.com/preamplificateur_ligne_cv1816sn7.html
http://www.halgorythme.com/index.html

Obviously, some brands are mentioned more frequently because that company produces a lot of units.  That having been said, of the brands I've owned, Audio Research is one the best I personally have heard.  When the ARC Reference 3 line-stage entered my system, my (audio) world changed.  All the music I thought I knew (and I was already using a more affordable ARC line stage), had to be listened to again.  In all the years it's been in my system, I've never had the urge to "upgrade."  The complete satisfaction continues.......

Thanks bdp24, you know a lot about real music!!!!

You can search but when it's over you will find bliss with the N1 from Sutherland Engineering.  Full fledged with phono as well. Underrated and rarely reviewed.  A benchmark in my opinion and many others.  You'll be hard pressed to stop smiling!