MAFAC centerpulls, adjusted poorly with old, hard pads, are the words
MAFAC centerpulls, with new Koolstop pads, adjusted properly, are the best combo of stopping power and modulation around. I have them on Eroica Pimp Bike, and felt as confident as one can be on the hairy downhill after the nefarioius Cypress climb.
Adjusting them properly is the key word. There are a lot of degrees of freedom in them, so lots of opportunities to get them adjusted incorrectly.