@remarkablex
Yes.
for rendering engines it is a matter of taste. None is better. they will all photorealistic rendering if you set them well.
for DAWs it's the same. Here in France FL studio is considered a DAW for children, Studio One a DAW for amateurs (who do not compose the "good" music because on Studio One). It makes me laugh to read all this on the internet.
We even go (in France) to criticize Win10 - claimed as shit - against Win 7.
I had a grandmother who cooked with old, old-fashioned pans. But she was making food as never before I had my meal (my madeleine de Proust).
Then yes. everything is a matter of taste. As for this FX Noiseash, which looks like many other plugin recreating the Puigtec already. Yes, it's true. But there are some we like to use, others not.
So I will test it, and it's not impossible that I prefer this one to others.
Basically, I create my own VST to feel more comfortable with a device, which already exists, created by other companies; But my version I know, so I master it better.
So to finish this very long text: HDRI studio rig is just an example, you're right Remarkablex, if you prefer Octane and you master it better, then continue with. In any case the rendering you made on this plugin is just ... Woaow! :D