My Mixes Sound Better When....

 
.....the volume is at 0.

Some people are re-recording mixes into 1/4" cassette decks because they love what it does. What it does, of course, is limit dynamic range and impose a nonlinear frequency response, adds masking noise via tape hiss and frequency modulation from flutter. If you were to play it back through a car stereo and record it with your smartphone it would do some of the same things, most notably the compression part.
 
I am disappointed in everything I mix. I'd guess the vast majority of mixers, both professional and amateur, are at least somewhat disappointed in their own work. The inescapable conundrum is that the better you get, the more critical you become. Dunning-Kruger aside, I don't know anyone who's genuinely proficient AND has reached a point where they genuinely believe everything they do is golden. 

bitflipper
Some people are re-recording mixes into 1/4" cassette decks because they love what it does. What it does, of course, is limit dynamic range and impose a nonlinear frequency response, adds masking noise via tape hiss and frequency modulation from flutter. If you were to play it back through a car stereo and record it with your smartphone it would do some of the same things, most notably the compression part.
 
I am disappointed in everything I mix. I'd guess the vast majority of mixers, both professional and amateur, are at least somewhat disappointed in their own work. The inescapable conundrum is that the better you get, the more critical you become. Dunning-Kruger aside, I don't know anyone who's genuinely proficient AND has reached a point where they genuinely believe everything they do is golden. 

I'm at the corroded rust stage. At my age I'm not likely to EVER get to aluminum let alone golden.

When I set the proper track volumes and simple EQ, then mix it down and leave it alone.