Ok, here's the deal. I got into DT in the Rudess years starting with SDOIT. Even though I went back and listened to the older stuff, Images and words, etc., (although I like the old stuff), I really prefer the newer stuff much more. It just suits my listening preferences a lot more. I guess if I had started with the really old stuff, I would like it more, but I don't.
To me the new stuff, ADTOE in particular is MUCH better than any of the older stuff.