[MDA III, XDA III, PDA2k, 9090 ROM Development] Tuatara:
*sigh* ... this question is asked so many times ...

Answer: (although you may hate this)

Each ROM has it's own benefits and drawbacks. Other than a categoric failure in a ROM due to some incompatibility with your device (there are many BA hardware versions and edited/shonky/hacked/dodgy drivers) they are all good.

If you (need to) use some "creative" backup/restore methods to keep your precious data, or install everything under the sun, or use dodgy pirated software, or whatever ... you can (and will) break EVERYTHING in the ROM very easily and criticize the ROM chef for "making a crappy ROM", when all along it is (and always will be) YOUR fault.

Best? Can't say ... Personally, I like Xplode's work, since it's always based on a 'purist' approach - using validated elements from trusted and well known developers (mamaich, helmi, bepe, etc.). Other sources, I have no means of verifying, so I generally don't use them. Use what you know and trust ... but keep your eyes open for alternatives.

Fastest? Pick the one which optimizes everything. Test, and see which apps/games/etc. you use and which works best. For example, you can switch the default video driver - that'll give you more speed ... but don't expect full application compatibility.

Most Stable? If you look back in the forums I spent a LOT of time optimizing the older WM5, since it just didn't run as well or as fast as WM2003 on the BA. Eventually we managed to get very close to the performance - but at the expense of stability. Today ... I prefer stability over speed by a HUGE margin.

That's the root of the problem. Nobody thinks the same as you ... or as me for that matter.

Everyone would like to create their own customized ROM which does exactly what they want. Hence ... why we have so many chefs!

To answer your question though - and I'm not being 'snarky' here ... just pick one and try it, use it, and customize it. Almost everything which the ROM chefs put into the ROMs they create can be overridden by installing a CAB file and/or modifying the registry to suit your needs. Having an 'out of the box' perfect ROM is realizable only for the chef who created it for themselves.

Personally: The base ROM I use daily is Xplode's WM6.0 ... but, I've updated my second BA to the latest Xplode WM6.1. I'm now testing the new version for stability/etc., and have configured it as I wish, and when I'm happy it does everything I want, I'll move my main phone over to the new OS.

Xplode's latest WM6.1 ROM is targeted for a 'general' audience, and is kept quite clean - as was the WM6.0 version. Read the very well commented descriptions of what's in each ROM and decide on those specifications. For WM6.1, add in the CABs you want from HIS preferred EXTROM architecture ... add in all the other "bling" and "dancing monkeys" you want ... make your device look like "launcher button, and weather central hell" if you have to. *blurgh*spew*

In my opinion ... start with the "basic car" and "pimp it out" to your desires.

As for WM6.0 vs. WM6.1 - search and read the forums; there are many changes - some good, some bad. If you need WM6.1 features, then you've made your choice. If you don't - choose based on other criteria.

You're the one who has to decide if you want the "Pimped Out", the "Turbo-charged", or the "Slow but Stable" version.

I (and others in the know) can't be of more help than this. Everything else is opinion.