Most major cabinets manufacturers use catalyzed conversion varnish (CV). This is used in a professional environment. Spray gun and spray booth. If you are doing it yourself that's a different story. I only know the professional side so I'll let others comment on oil and water base type paints. Pre-cat is and okay finish but a step below CV (Conversion Varnish) which is catalyzed right before use and has a pot life (time is is good for)so it is a little more difficult to use and it won't melt into the next coat like pre-cat. But because of this it is a much more durable finish. That said I don't use either. I use 2K poly (two component polyurethane) it's also catalyzed and has even a shorter pot life but it is the best you can get. I've even started importing it for Italy for sale here in the US but that's not why I'm saying it is better. It's all that's used in Europe and it's water based so it's not nasty to use like our solvent based acid cured finishes and if there was something better out there I would have that.
John