I did prefer the XP-30 over the XS pre in my system. I might have felt differently if my system was different or if I still had the Alexias. The XP-30 is the only Pass preamp that has a generous lower midrange and that works well for me, producing a tube-like midrange that I adore.
That is not to say the XS pre didn't have its virtues. I wanted to love it sonically (I did prefer it ergonomically and aesthetically) but in my system it thinned out the midrange too much by comparison.
That is not to say the XS pre didn't have its virtues. I wanted to love it sonically (I did prefer it ergonomically and aesthetically) but in my system it thinned out the midrange too much by comparison.