Had a Culligan softener for a number of years. Water was soft, though water here in the community isn't hard, but it tasted terrible unless you used the filtered fridge water. When the resin tank in the softener went belly up and resin particles were showing up in the water imparting an even worse taste, we switched to the Nova system. Water right out of the faucet tastes great, haven't seen any residue on dishes or silverware, and no problems with lack of suds in washing...people, clothes, dishes...
