After the event and now you have solved the problem, the penny has dropped as to what the problem
was.
I think that you were most probably getting all the air out and bleeding successfully, but the increased lever movement and light action was due to the larger caliper pistons demanding much more fluid movement. Much more than the 16mm master piston could deliver in the stroke available. So you never got a hard feeling brake lever.
Now that you have converted to probably something like 19mm master? It can move sufficient fluid with less lever movement.
Sorry to be so slow off the mark. I clearly did not register that your caliper pistons were larger than before.
Glad you are sorted now..