Sounds like everybody has covered the "usual suspects"-- tuning/sound selection, EQ, and parallel processing. I guess the only thing I'd add would be layering (using multiple snare sounds at once to create a conglomerate of sounds that you like together). It could be argued that that might fit under the categories of EQ or parallel processing, I suppose...
To the OP-- Do you have examples of what you're talking about that we could listen to? Snare tuning can be all over the map. When you said "premier productions," did you mean "really first rate," or something actually produced by DJ Premier?
GJ