I think it depends.
One anecdote from a member of my club: He's one of the faster and higher-mileage riders in the club, kind of a masher instead of a spinner. He has a Waterford and Gunnar (also from the old Schwinn/Waterford factory) Last year, he splashed out and bought a Domane SL. He has done all kinds of fiddling and says that bike just wears him out. It's lighter than his steel bikes and should give a more compliant ride, but he just hates it and has asked me to help him sell it.

We speculate that maybe it's the ISO Speed arrangement in the frame that absorbs some energy. Or maybe grease in the hub is too thick or too much in quantity? Nope, he changed that and it still feels slow to him.
I only have experience with my lower-end Domane AL3, but I think I'm going to try steel next time. Want to try that "lively feel."