Isn't it crazy how a bad set of tires ruins a good mojo?
My take is: a good frame will shine once you put good wheels under it. But that takes agile, precise tires for granted. I've wasted a lot of money on clodhoppers.
I used to think "tires is tires." Nope. Some are downright clumsy. I've also decided that some wheels are "right" with some frames, so setting down the right footprint is also included.