Which "analogue" mono synth? Part 1.

I finally got around to making a proper (kind of) post... i f you're bored by/not interested in (yet more) internet synth comparisons, then please read no further and don't bother to comment. Otherwise, read on... After many years without my studio set up, I've finally started getting the hardware out and getting it all rigged up again. Also, I've "invested" (probably the not the right word here!) in some new (to me at least) synths, and started working out how I'm going to be able get everything working together, also with the possibility of doing some live jamming if not gigging. If like me you spend time watching youtube vids, reading soundonsound and wading through lengthy gearslutz discussions (for want of a better word), you quickly get caught up in the endless debates regarding which synth is better than another, whether cheap gear sounds as good as expensive, is old kit much better than new, should I wait for vapourware or buy what...