A mono signal panned left or right and with signal still in both never sounds quite right. I'm pretty sure that's because the ears/brain expects the signal phases also to match the intended direction, but they don't.

I think there's no easy solution to that unless the mixer can also shift the phase, but I'm not sure any mixer does that.

If I want a good stereo image, then I'd try to record the source, in stereo, in the orientation I want, probably using small-diaphragm microphones with the diaphragms coincident, i.e., crossed with the diaphragms one above the other.

Whether any particular artiste of mixing engineer does that probably depends upon the target audience. Most would not. It's too esoteric and few listeners would care that much anyway.

Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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