Argonaut Kraken....
(oh, and no need to choose a second stage)
(oh, and no need to choose a second stage)
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Bold claim my friend. The only regs I've ever had trouble with were Atomics and that was only a small sample o er a small period of time. In contrast used Apeks over decades and many different models, not one single problem. YMMV. As far as performance goes, that's mostly a function of the second stage.
I have sold LOTS of them over several years in my days in NY and have lots of them here in Libya in my dive school. Not a single issue with awesome performance and most reliable even in a dive schools training fleet. I have sold and used several brands and models over 35 years as a dive instructor and well over 40 years as a diver.
The OP is asking about first stage, not the second stage btw.
I don't doubt your experience Sir, just don't think there's a best. I only mentioned second stage as the "best" first stage has little bearing on performance within etc limits whereas the"best" second stage will.
If I put a conshelf on a Mk25 and then a S600 I can tell the difference. Conversely, if I put an S600 on a MK25 and then a MK2 (at rec depths) I can't tell the difference
I was going to mention in my earlier comment putting a high end second stage on a lower end first stage but decided against but now you bring it up You can certainly destroy the perceived performance of a high end and high performance first stage by putting on a lower end second stage but a high end second stage on a lower end first stage may mask the low performance of this lower end first stage in shallower depths and make it appear as not relevant but this happens in the shallower parts of the dive and in more ideal conditions. What is more important is that when the OP asked about what is "best" doesn't always mean "performance" just like you can't decide that a car is "best" based on "speed and/or acceleration" only. There are many other factors that make a regulator system/first stage best in addition to "performance" (work of breathing). Atomic has all of the factors along with performance that make it "best" in my view according to my experience. Others, your good self for example, will have other experiences and consequently different opinions. It makes the world turn around and more interesting.
My opinion is more correct and is the best and most valid and everyone else is wrong however