I agree - I know everything from the beginning through Signals pretty well and I love it. I honestly don't know 80s and 90s Rush as well as I feel I should, though I know a lot of fans don't care much for their work from that period. I will say that the latest two albums have been excellent, though.
Signals was crap, but Grace Under Pressure and Power Windows were great '80s albums. I didn't care much for Hold Your Fire or Presto. Counterparts is their best from the '90s, and I think Vapor Trails is fantastic, especially the newly-released remixed version.
Rush was never low ^^. Imo, 2112, Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, Grace under Pressure, Counterparts and Clockwork Angels are masterpieces, most of the others are excellent.