I'll stick with my two long-time regular gals and the occasional indie or agency gal when I'm on the road.  I've only paid over $300 an hour once in all the years that I've been doing this...

or 4 sessions with one or several long respected $300/h perennials.

I prefer and am attracted to. "Top 10" as rated by others means diddly; I'll make my own list.

Like MZ says.  Give me 4 visits with someone I like, and it gets better and better every time.

...in either case, I would go with the 4 sessions with one or several long respected $300/hr perennials.  

Despite the rating system, there are/have been several Top 10s that, although I agree they look good in the ads, don't really get me excited to see them. Taste varies. I see very fit, photogenic women who I'm sure are real sweethearts, and I know a lot of guys are going goose-crazy over them, who I feel nothing toward. Then a woman with similar measurements, maybe a different 'do, who knows what it is? And I can't wait to set an appointment. Usually, I'm happy with the choice. I've only had a few disappointing experiences.

Fore a newbie like me its good to hear that $300 can be as good as say $800.

Both in terms of quality and safety. Depends what part of the world you're in, of course.

If I only had $1200, I'd probably choose to get laid 4 times instead of once, but if I'm doing this on a regular basis, I gotta go with the "Diva".  3 "Divas" a week or 12 "perennials" a week - At some point it becomes a quality over quantity argument, and my experience is that the "Diva" can charge $1200 because she offers something more than the "perennial" offers.