The report of an exceptionally precise hadith master cannot be evaluated simply as equivalent to the report of one unidentified person in a larger group. The recognized qualities of leading hadith authorities may supply an evidential advantage other than numerical multiplicity.
Malik's scholarly standing is used to illustrate the confidence that a knowledgeable listener may place in direct communication from a master of his caliber. When other similarly precise narrators or independent supporting routes are added, confidence can increase and fear of inadvertent error can decrease.
This reasoning does not make an illustrious name a substitute for all isnad criticism. Exceptional accuracy functions as a corroborating indicator only within a proper critical examination.