I have not heard the X.02, but I own an X.0. It is a wonderful preamp and I can tell you tast I also own an ARC Ref 2 mark 1 and I prefer the Pass Labs pre for female vocals and accoustic guitar. The bass is deep and detailed. It is quite tubelike in its comparison to ARC, but does not have the decay that some tube amps have that enhances violin concerto type music. Coupled with the X350.5, you get much of what you get from a tube design plus no hiss and no tubes to replace.
Jeff
Jeff