Not sure if you've been reading the indev stuff and producer's letters, but the HQ system will be completely redone in 1.20, moving from quality based to materials based. All HQ materials = HQ result, every time. Also you mention the seemingly imbalanced recipe requirements, and your example is in alchemy, which is also scheduled to be revisited in 1.20, along with goldsmith and cooking. So your issues seem totally valid, and in fact are in line to be worked on next. For the better? We'll see!