Honestly any recommendation other than the Synthetics are pretty much useless anyway, Maybe the Eschers because they were a graded stone when they were sold, so you would be able to at least match a recommendation if you have the money...

Think about what I just said carefully, if I tell you my Chinese 12k (PHIG) is my best finisher it would be hard for you to duplicate what I have, I know for a fact that there are at least 4 different types of stones sold as all the same, only one type is really outstanding for razors... Coticules and Thuringens are in the same boat, I know mine finish good, but I can't say the same for yours... Japanese stones are even worse trying to get the right one... The British stones are fairly consistent but hard to come by...
And as stated above, the real magic is in the hands anyway, as any of these stones, don't make you any better it works the other way around

Here is something I can tell you that I believe to be true, any time I have a finicky razor nowadays, those that are prone to micro-chipping, harshness, or just plain a pain to get right, I go straight to my Naniwa SS's they seem to sort out those razors.. Easy razors it doesn't much matter they hone good on any stone if I do my part...

So IMHO Best to me means "The most consistent results, on the most types of razors" so in my eyes the best are the Naniwas, Shaptons, and the Nortons in that order... It doesn't much matter that the best shave that has every crossed my face was done on my Nakyama Midori Tomae Nashiji because it ain't for sale, and good luck finding it's twin