Move from Wahoo Kickr Sanp to Cyclops Hammer

I have been riding Zwift for a little over a year now on a Wahoo Kickr Snap, no complaints, great on wheel trainer. I wanted to go to a direct drive because I had heard they offer a more realistic feel. Since making the move to the Hammer I have noticed a couple of things, the grades seem harder and the Hammer seems more sensitive to grade changes. Just wondering if this is normal from going to an on wheel to direct drive?