Sorry to express an alternative opinion, Arran: as you say, it's all about opinions. I'm a big fan of both Ivan Drever (epecially some of his beautiful tunes, played superbly with Duncan Chisholm on fiddle)and Sangsters.
There are others I don't rate as highly as some, but that's my opinion. And some who go down well at live gigs, but don't make for good CD listening, whereas others who can't replicate the studio sound at a live gig (as has been said above).
I was at a great session on Sunday for 4 hours or more: a latecomer asks smoker outside the pub how the session was - "dire" she was told, and then proceeded to tell others the same, having not been there herself! (thanks a bunch!) So best to form your own opinion from personal experience, which may, of course, be coloured by what sort of a day you've had, and what sort of a mood you're in anyway!