I think you overstate this effect. At least in CS, it’s better to get a strong letter from a good (but maybe not superstar) researcher than it is to get a lukewarm letter from a Turing award winner.
reputation is a currency in academia, and even people in prestigious positions arent usually going to spend it to get someone mediocre into a top position.
reputation is a currency in academia, and even people in prestigious positions arent usually going to spend it to get someone mediocre into a top position.