so, I think most can agree....cymbals change based on your needs at that second...
I like em all....Zildjian, Sabian, Paiste, Meinl, Wuhan, it goes on and on....hell I even have one of those friggin Carmine Appice lamp shade looking effect/crash things.... (it has it's place)
I've used so many (like a lot of drummers out there)...how can you pick just one brand? I dont think I can stick with just one manufacturer, but....and there are lots-o-buts...
It all depends... right? I've recorded with some vintage 12" zildjian hats, and played live on 16" marching cymbals as hats....
I have however found MY flavor of the month......Amedia Cymbals....i will try to do some better audio examples soon, but I thought that my 16" and 18" Thrace series Amedia cymbals cover a lot of ground....were fast crashes when I needed them, and decent rides as well
although I intend on buying more Amedia Cymbals, there are just too many good sounding intruments out there made by a ton of great people and companies, to chose just one, so I will always keep expanding my pallette ...
This next guy you probably have seen in MD or DRUM! mags, and his stuff is expensive, but he makes some very cool and great sounding pieces..
his web site:
Matt Nolan Custom Cymbals, Gongs and other Metal Percussion Sound Sculptures
MHO FWIW
Tim