I have or had the same mix of braking systems as
cyccommute and the same experiences. The brakes just work equivalently and well.
I have learned in things bicycle as well as other areas such as wine (taste) and guitars (tone), that there are cases when I don't have the same degree of sensation as others seem to have. So I don't disagree with their assessments if they seem to sense things that are "better" or different than mine. But unlike some of those folks I try not to claim as fact things that are subjective or simply personal opinions.