Good material poorly compacted is still a bad base. Compaction is where most of the long-term performance is won.
Compact in lifts
Build base a few inches at a time and compact each lift. A plate compactor can only reach so deep; one tall pile of loose rock stays soft in the middle.
A little water helps
Lightly dampening the base lets the fines move into the gaps and lock the rock together. Bone-dry rock just shuffles around under the plate.
Hit the right depth
4 inches for foot traffic and light cars, 6 inches or more for heavy loads. Depth plus compaction is the whole game.
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