I am just going to say it. Sealed cartridge bearing are the greatest thing since sliced bread. A really good sealed bearing is going to have more drag than good cup and cone bearings but if they are sealed well you will never need to touch them. Also, there are ceramic and ceramic hybrid bearing available, these close and maybe open up gap in the other direction as far as friction coefficients go and these can be installed in "vintage" cartridge bearing hubs.
Vive la cartridge bearings.

Pun intended.