From Peter Krystad It all depends on what you value. Given your background, I would go with the AT gear. There is no way the advantages of tele gear and technique will overcome the time it will take you to get proficient. Given your background, I'd go with the AT gear. It has more control, better release functions, tours fine and is a lighter package than comparable tele gear.
Cost is slightly higher but in the same ballpark.
From David Eyre Since you know how to parallel already, if you were to go out and buy stiff tele boots and a good pair of skis, you could be executing good parallel turns on your tele equipment with a half days practice. Despite all the comments that AT is much easier for accomplished downhill skiers, IMO if you can turn 'em on downhill gear, you can parallel on heavy tele gear too. Then you have the option to learn to tele. The down side is lift guilt. The disadvantage is that, if you are even marginally sane, you don't want to ski 50 degree couloirs in very sketchy snow conditions ala Scott Schmidt et al hence you will suffer steepness envy.