Of course this is HIGHLY opinionated, but you did ask. I've played lots of different kits and owned a few. I've owned a top end Pearl birch kit (BLX, would be the equivalent of a Masters kit today). I currently own a DW Collector's Series. I wouldn't trade them for anything.
I'll let you in on a little secret though. Really, you can get any good drum kit to sound good. Star Classics, Pearl Master Works, my DW's, whatever. My opinion is it comes down to the hardware you like (mounting in particular). You can't really compare say an Export kit to
a Yamaha Maple Custom. They are made totally different and the wood composition isn't comparable. That's why I say if you take any company's equivalent kit, it's almost a wash.
But I do love my DW's.
Now I'll let you in on some more goodness...thin shells. If you want true kick ass resonant sound. Buy smaller, thinner drums. I play a 5 piece kit with tom sizes 10", 14", 15" and a 22"X20" kick. I do play an Eric Singer model Pearl snare. That thing is a MONSTER! I can get a tune to fouths and have plenty of room. I don't use any muffling on the toms or snare and use the Evans kick muffler in the kick drum. Wide open! Sounds KILLER!
Like I said. I love my DW's but everyone else is going to love their kit if they've spent some money on it. The choice really is yours. Go out and play a lot of kits and pay particular attention to the way the drums mount. If you can't position them the way you want, maybe look at a different brand.
Hope this helps some.
-Sam
www.devilstomp.net