If you are the type of player that got their sleek black and always went to that sleek black for barrier then you will hate the new system.
If you are like me and know lots of non-sleek barrier sources then the new system is fine.
I have played dozens of mages that never knew their sleek black source but always had barrier.
I find the new sleek system fun. It is like have a small puzzle to figure out.
Besides it gives me added barrier sources from time to time. If a hard one comes up I either avoid non-sleeks or get a party together to get it.