Gavin,

Out on an limb here but perhaps you don't get it about rift sawn. One can see the grain pattern in a one foot by three inch piece of both side by side. Plain sawn has 'cathedrals" and rift has straight grain and diagonal rays with what I consider more "depth". You could visit a cabinet supplier and see the difference in two cabinet doors.

Some foks are more visually sensitive than others. There are structural issues which contribute to it's stability beyond it's beauty as well.

My point is the difference in the wood is very apparent and one does not need to see a room of it to discern the different aspects. A cabinet or tabletop of each should answer any question you might have about each type.