for cabinets conversion varnish will rain supreme

Sanding sealers fill thirsty pores on the wood before staining so as to keep the wood from blotching during finishing. A high solids lacquer is usually what is used for a ''paint'' finish, followed by that conversion varnish topcoat. So, your unclear description could potentially describe a coating *system* rather than competing approaches.

Conversion varnish is more durable than lacquer.

Sanding sealer is applied after color (dye or stain) is applied to wood and before the topcoat.

I have 2 different cabinet makers quoting me on my kitchen...they each described the finishes differently, so I'm trying to understand which finish will be better and more durable. I'm trying to get a "white wash" rifted oak...without a pink hue, so I understand they need to stain it and then put a finishing coat....I'm just not educated enough to tell which cabinet maker will provide me with a better finish.. I hope I'm using the correct terms...I want the cabinet grain to be straight

the grain has nothing to do with the finish but conversion varnish will be the
best finish