ive been in the same boat as you. since switching to ring ive played 5k at stars and 5k at party. i ended up down 2 stacks at stars, and am breaking completely even at party.

ive found the same problem that people just arent willing to play for stacks. although my experience has been due to quite a bit of -variance, the $25 nl tables just arent as fishy as everyone says they are.