I've heard of a 52/34 working fine. Is there any reason a 33t chainring on a compact wouldn't work as well? Has anybody here done so?

I did over 6,000 feet of climbing today, with almost 2,000 of it in a 5 mile stretch, and every extra bit would have helped. I don't want to have to go to an 11-36 with a new RD if I don't have to though.