One question, many and diverse answers. Even for the very experienced and scientific, personal beliefs and heuristics are strongly at play.
I guess this is why I like to try stuff and see. But I wrestle with it… I reckon a fine example of any one approach can get you something nice, but some will be a better match sonically than others. I guess this why I like, with a little bit of help, scratch design and build. I also loathe it sometimes. That is not for everyone, and wasn’t for me initially, and still isn’t for designs heavily loaded with actives, and wouldn’t be if I was more scared of burning some $. Fear of “failure” still kicks in on occasion. I know consciously it is a learning experience and step towards a success…
If you want a nearly-assured result and relative ease, go for a kit with support; will still be a challenge and very rewarding... and you should develop the basic skills and learn a solid way of building. Willing to give up some ease, maybe try a proven design, with some help - you will find that here, but I do feel for Paul carrying the load, at times. Great guy. Want to try something a little different, got some skills, and able to risk the cost of failure, design and build scratch.
Be ruthlessly honest with yourself and try something that sounds like it is in your sonic realm, that suits your risk tolerance, and just go for it. What matters is doing what suits you, and learning from it. The is no right and wrong, better or worse. Nothing special. Nothing that isn’t special.