Like you, I use my Lite with no balls, just the curved rails for centering. I am on a carpet surface, that tends to damp the rocking action a bit, until it “packs” the carpet very firm. Once that happens, it is pretty “active” for my needs.
Seated, it is easy to move and provides a good amount of motion for my needs that leads to a comfortable and natural feel.
Standing, it is easy to move just off center, but “stiffens” more with further lean. This is because of the curve shape, that is apparently a compound curve (according to the inventor). I find it is a bit stiffer than I ultimately like for the best standing feel and rocking around 5* per side. I think I would like a rail that has more curve around 3* and further, to make the centering force lower, and rocking wider angles easier.
Chip (the inventor) says he thinks the performance is better with balls, but I need to test that to see if I can improve the far angle feel. I’m not surprised that more pressure results in lifting of the plate. It is one reason I like the double deck rockers that hold the springs “captive”. This allows for more preload without lifting.
When he debuted the rocker, I suggested the option of selling different shaped rails to tune the feel, along with the springs. He just has the one shape for now, but I think a 2nd design with more curve could be useful and this is one example.