Cree/epistar cost vs quality

I chose to go with Lm301b over 561c diodes but when it comes to supp color strips it’s hard for me pay double for 11 diodes of Cree over 50 diodes of epistar. I can get more strips at a higher wattage spread with the epistar which I think would make up for the less efficiency. Anyone with personal experience between the 2 that makes paying the extra price for less diodes