And this lack of better items is killing hardmodes. Why should I try to run AC for several hours, when i can achieve the same in a fast run in another dungeon?
From that point I like the idea of an item-threadmill but not such as in WoW. Anet could try to make special stats mixes on such hardmode content which cannot be crafted or achieved in other dungeons.
For instance they could try to introduce a fire protection which can only be found in one hardmode dungeon but it is only available when a whole set is equipped. So you can have a fire resistance but are still vulnerable against all other elements.