I have stones from Maksim, from Alex, from ebay. Ebay: the sellers were all straight shavers that vouched for suitability.

I can get a very comfortable shaving edge from all of them. I have not yet developed the skill to strongly distinguish between them. Toss a coticule in this mix as well.

So...my advice to you would be:

1. Look at the inventories of the sellers this board sees as trustworthy (I'll vouch for Maksim and Alex).
2. Index all of their stones in your price range.
3. Pick the one you think is prettiest.
4. Learn to love it and, the most important step,
5. STOP LOOKING FOR SOMETHING BETTER

You know...reading back over that list, I think I'll crosspost those five steps in the "how to choose a wife" thread.