Your pleasure or displeasure with the Campy Centaur is likely a personal preference. I had campy Veloce (cheaper) on my Bianchi and I never had any trouble with the way it shifted. Due to an unexpected deal at a bike swap, I ended up with Record (I was going to buy Veloce & Centaur for my new bike)
but it just isn't THAT different. I love the way Campy works. Before I had a campy geared bike, I had terrible problems shifting. It was just counter-intuitive to me.

Whatever you get (unless it's awful) you'll get used to it.

I LOVE the sound my bike makes when I am coasting down a hill.