I should have chosen the subject title better, specially considering that I thought about it a bit.
I think I got the metaphor now, don't know why I missed it since it applies to everything else in the universe. Use the big thing to get somewhat close to the end, then finish it off with a smaller thing, possibly home-cooked, probably already posted MANY TIMES already on this very forum... I can watch Dave's jellybean regulator video (again), read the datasheets, read the metrology forum here, experiment...demanding that it all be finished by the knob on the power supply just misses the point(s).
And oh yes, I had to be patient and "creative" to manually get the voltage to get a 10.0000x reading. Getting an LED to say "10.00" is much easier and, in its own way, more reliable.
And then...it turns out that if I turn a knob seeking the analog experience, perhaps a contact might just be hopping from place to place?
To do all with just one box is expensive. Keithley SMU expensive. Ah. Nice instrument!
So love the knob, but not for the many 0s! Love it because it provides continuous manipulation of the voltage level. Makes sense.
Just for completeness' sake, the old power supply was made by Power Mate Corp. (Hackensack NJ), couldn't find a datasheet or manual. It has a Zilog ownership sticker, a calibration sticker from 1985, and two other stickers too worn to read. 0-10V, 0-5A, more or less the same size and weight as the Korad. No model number. Does not look fragile.