My Experience had and the one which produced a Phonostage that I was not only happy to support being built, but also extremely satisfied with owning. Took place when I rolled the dice on two components.
I bought in a Copper Foil Cap' at a value the EE was extremely reluctant to use, and Z Foil Resistors that the EE was reluctant to use because of cost in relation to parts and discard from matching.
The Copper Cap's produced the smile, usually seen when things liven up.
The addition of the Z Foils produced the Cheshire Cat Grin, that is the sign I am selling my soul to get this one.
In my case the addition of a Particular Brands Design for a Resistor brought the End Sound to one I was not willing to be without.
This Phon' has been demo'd to quite a few individuals who have been very vociferous with appraisal given. I would suggest the Subjective Evaluation is more of a Collective Evaluation, where findings are notable.