Agreed, wholeheartedly, but, from personal experience, I've used various pedals, from, all the market had to offer,(70's), to some high end unit's, currently available,(I also use Inexpensive pedals, If they sound good, / No Snobbery here), & recent experimentation, has shown clearly, there is a difference, even using 1 pedal, If a "Quality", buffer is in line. This is through various Amps & Cabs, both valve & Solid state, but, as you state above, we all hear things differently, dont we?