Considering a Hegel preamp

What improvements are you looking for and what sound characteristics are most important to you?  BTW, I’ve owned a DNA 0.5 RevA for decades and sent it in for full upgrades (including full gravity base) but haven’t been able to listen to it yet.

I have not owned a Hegel but was researching SS preamps recently. McCormack fell onto my list, but I have not seen one used so have not pulled the trigger. Other preamps which gained my attention were Herron, Belles, Atoll, Ayre, and Van Alstine's Vision.

If I had both a McCormack preamp and an amp, I would be wondering if there was a good synergy between them I'd be messing up by switching to a new preamp. Perhaps you just want a change? If so, maybe consider a tube preamp? Just thinking aloud with you.

I considering a Hegel preamp as well and am trolling for a used P30 or P30A. It would be paired with a Coda #8. I would be interested in hearing opinions on the Hegel preamps as well.

@zlone did you ever snag a Hegel pre? I am about to pull the trigger on a P20.

Using the preouts on my H190 integrated was very illuminating how good Hegel's preamps are. Compared with two tube preamps and a cheap WiiM Ultra but I kept coming back to the Hegel as it gave me such a full & rich, yet detailed presentation at the same time. Soundstage was immaculate for a SS pre as well. Really hit the sweet spot for me.

@relaxasaurus In the end bought a Pass XP-12 and I was quite happy with that. I did recently replace the Pass with an Audionet PRE G2 that I found a deal on, and  it was a significant upgrade, though a very different sound, over the Pass. 

I owned a Hegel P20 and Pass XP-10 at the same time to compare with my Pass X250.8 amp.   I preferred the sound of my system with the P20.  I felt it was more resolving and exciting compared to the XP-10, at least with the Pass amplifier.

Thanks both. Shame that you don't hear more about Hegel preamps. Their integrated models seem to overshadow their separates.