Mara,
My experience is with archtops, so I don't know if it's really applicable to your situation. I've never had a problem with d'Adarios, but...
Are your new d'Adarios strings bronze (like my d'Adario strings are)? If so, have you played bronze strings before? They have their sound - and like most things guitar related - some love it, some hate it.
Can't help you on the action issue. For me, 12s are 12s, and they require some effort. For your effort you get more acoutic output. I never really payed much attention to the "action" label on strings, so, sorry, can't help there.
Marty
My experience is with archtops, so I don't know if it's really applicable to your situation. I've never had a problem with d'Adarios, but...
Are your new d'Adarios strings bronze (like my d'Adario strings are)? If so, have you played bronze strings before? They have their sound - and like most things guitar related - some love it, some hate it.
Can't help you on the action issue. For me, 12s are 12s, and they require some effort. For your effort you get more acoutic output. I never really payed much attention to the "action" label on strings, so, sorry, can't help there.
Marty