Hi TunerSandwich,
This all depends on your point of view...
time + resources to characterize these "el cheapo" components doesn't allow for a "poor mans" anything.....unless your time is worthlessI spent time on low cost references in building them in ovens.
The out come, not wasted time, but a lot of knowledge on references and ovens.
I never thought that a TL431, LT1234, LT1021 or even a LTZ1000 I use, will be better than a Fluke 732B.
I simply don't have the resources to characterize them.
I have i different point of view, not money is important, but knowledge < now i sound like Yoda
Just my 2 cents
Kind regarts,
Blackdog