I really like Mettler threads, but also use Presencia without difficulty. King Tut too. (This is just for piecing on the machine, as I hand quilt - for which I use YLI)
Needles, I'm afraid I don't pay much attention as long as it works - I use Schmetz, can't remember the number but it is a general one, not specialist (I don't use metallics, etc., or at least I haven't yet!!)