Jackster,
I think we should start out by acknowledging the fact that we are going to disagree, period. I see that you are GLX disciple, a breed which I know to be as more loyal than Lassie. I sold them (Loomis rods) for a while, but I am one of those crazy people who thinks Sage rods really are worth their price. (though not the cost of a divorce, so I don't have many)

I found GLX's stiff then, and will admit I might have a different opinion now. I cast a 9' 8wt TCR for the first time recently and found it to be the fastest rod I have cast and liked. This moves the XP to third after the Powell Tiburon.

Were I a competitive caster, the TCR would be my tool of choice. However, since I prefer to actually fish, and sometimes for big fish, I'll stick with my 8'8" 9wt Scott Heliply. Casts nice, and pulls stumps. I like the way that rod casts much better than the 8wt in the same series for some reason.