Anyone auditioned Pass Labs XP-30 preamp?

I also find Ed Momkus to be too clinical.

Barry, how would you have compared the XP-20 to the X0.2?

Tonyptony - If you read reviews I referenced, you'll get the differences ("Secrets" nails it and also mirrors my preferences - e.g. some tubes in the signal path are a requirement for me). To me, the XP-20 was better in several areas than the X0.2 - noise, bass, clarity and to a lesser extent sound stage. I really wanted to like it (heck I bought it!), but it just didn't sound natural in my system. Perhaps it will in yours. Despite it's shortcomings, I liked and kept the X0.2 and sold the XP-20. However, I never felt quite the same about the X0.2 again having heard what was possible in the areas where the 20 excelled. The XP-30 may fill those gaps but I haven't heard it.

The XP-30 has a low S/N ratio of only 110db's which is a poor number for a three piece system. Why? Old school engineering. Since the early eightie's many designer's including Nelson Pass use local or global feedback technique where the signal current is looped and fed back ("feedback") several times through the Pre-amp then to the ouputs which increase the gain level to the output. The best Pre-amps on the market that are pricey all have S/N ratio's above 125 db's since they are not using feedback looping into the Pre-amp but using a more current technique called feed forward which does not loop the signal current.
The feed forward design was pioneered by FM Acoustics. Feedback results in noise and higher distortion from the parts and boards. The founder and designer of Hegel Audio in Norway, Bent Holter, who has a degree in micro electronics with the emphasis on transistor engineering, took the feed forward technology from FM Acoustics and further enhanced it to a better design he calls his patented Sound Engine technology. The Hegel P-30 Pre-amp uses the Sound Engine feed forward method and the Pre-amp has a S/N ratio of 132db's, the highest ever achieved of any Pre-amp costing up to $20K and higher. The P-30 costs only $7500.00 and performs like a $40K Pre-amp since the noise and distortion is so low which is typical in the best and costliest Pre-amps made.

Zen, I have not had the opportunity to here the Hegel P30. It must be quite something judging from your raves here and on other threads. I have heard the XP-30 in my system for ten days and it is the best pre amp that I have had in my system.

Have you heard the XP-30? I know how specifications can mean everything to some readers. Listeners, on the other hand, form opinions about how components sound relative to each other.

"Old school engineering" is why people still love horn, tube, vinyl components. Specifications are great, but listening is what matters to most of us.