Passive preamps are simple but the quality of components can vary tremendously. Quality transformer based volume control (a passive preamp is basically volume control) are excellent and coveted.
a resistive ladder style can be excellent with good components.
Both are going to require a high quality multiple step selector switch.
Avoid the sliding contact resistors as cheap and noisy.
I like passive vs active because it has the least impact on the signal (some of us call it coloration and some members here don't like that, we will agree to disagree).
Jerry