What I think you mean is that you can get a better driving experience (not performance) shifting the gears yourself. I believe that it is not necessary. Not having to shift gears leave you free to enjoy the other sensory minutiae from the steering feel, handling balance, etc. Just my personal experience.
In the kind of driving environment here in the US I find little appeal of a manual over a dual-clutch auto. As an enthusiast who has driven manuals most of his life I see the appeal of manuals more as hanging onto nostalgia. I'm far more interested in the performance and handling of a car these days. If a tranny can do a perfectly good job of rowing the gears itself (as is said of Porsche's PDK), I'd rather leave it to do so.
/Pokiesaintnsfw
/Missed Opportunity