Sire, a diesel is only as good as the compression ratio it manages. The 1HZ you drove was newer which is why it is likely that it was managing good/factory compression numbers. The 12H-T being a lot older was probably a bit down on compression due to the wear accumulated over the years. Add to this the fact that being a TD it came with 16 something : 1 compression ratio whereas the 1HZ being NA comes with 20 something : 1. So you can very well see how age and wear would have lead to the feel you got when you drove it. I am not even talking about the turbo on the 12H-T which seems to be the Achilles heel on this motor.
Having said that, both engines in near factory condition, the 12H-T absolutely blows the 1HZ away on road especially when the turbo starts playing. Off idle though, the 1HZ MIGHT push your back to the seat a bit more, again due to a higher CR. To make up for the lag, Toyota offered the 12H-t with a 2 something transfer ratio in low range which makes up plenty for any off-turbo gutlessness that you might worry about while crawling, in fact many people observe that this engine is too jumpy off road.
With regard to the sound it makes, I'll have you know that you might be liable to persecution for committing blasphemy :P. What gear/diffs are you turning with your 1HZ in the 40?