I have an SRAM XD cassette that often feels "dry" and doesn't spin as freely as it should - it's definitely the built-in lockring of the 2-piece design that's dry rather than being a problem with the free hub.
My question is - what, if anything, are you using to lube the 2 lockring on your XD cassettes?
It’s the freehub. The lock ring has nothing to do with how well the cassette spins once mounted.
I use copper slip, lots of copper slip. Anything lighter is unlikely to last as long as the cassette is on there.
I use a grease and use an 1/2 drive short extension form my lockring tool into my drill to spin it a few times, keeps it running freely
As above if this is when the freehub spins, then it's inside the freehub and a light grease (its the word), will fix it. Its nothing to do with fitting the cassette on the freehub but while you're at it, take that off and a bit of grease on there too wouldn't go amiss either.
As above how the cassette is mounted to the freehub has no bearing on how well it spins - as long as it isn’t touching the frame for whatever reason.
I always liberally copper slip the threads when putting an Xd cassette on and touch wood I’ve never had an issue getting one off.
If the cassette isn’t spinning as well as it should it’ll be something inside the freehub probably - either gunked up (I know all about this) or bearings having seen better days.