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

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!

The Schiit Freya...A remote, a 128 step relay switched very accurate attenuator, three choices of remote selectable passive, FET, or tube output through 4 6SN7GTBs, fully balanced operation, five remote selectable inputs including two balanced and three single ended, three outputs including one balanced and two single ended, and excellent low noise floor sound that I enjoy immensely. It's USA built and costs around 700 bucks, supported by geniuses who may or may not be gentlemen, but are more like curmudgeonly rebellious marketplace disturbers.