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You are not alone.

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I like rotors, but the straight vertical paddles kill my wrist. It'd be nice if more companies tried the slant rotor idea like the 4460.

Rotors. I played an Alex and I now have a Mirafone and both were terrific valves. I watch the others constantly pouring on valve oil, night after night. I don't even carry my bottle with me! I played a couple lousy Eb's when I started back when and played a Yamaha 321[valves absolutely sucked!]for a while, and there is no going back [except for a Civil War Eb I have to play ].

I think I am one of the few tuba players in the UK who prefers rotary valve. Generally more reliable than piston valves and needing only occasional oiling. I also like the shorter movement

No. Pistons rule!!!!

My opinion.
Both of my contrabass tubas (my money horns) have rotors, my E flat has pistons. It is interesting (at least to me) that when I am playing a tuba I really do not notice what type of valve is in use, I notice if the tuba can get the job done. So, if you ask when I am not playing I would say rotors. When I am playing I would most likely say, why the question. I guess my answer is whatever horn (valve type, plating, no plating, raw brass, key or whatever else) works is real good!

peace,
Mark

I have relatively short fingers, so the shorter stroke of a rotary tuba is a good match for me. Same for short-action pistons, such as those on my 20J.

I really don't care.....
Like the short action, dislike the (usual) extra cylindrical section compared to pistons

Prefer rotors, but play everything (including modern piston, Vienna, Berlin, Stölzel)

makes no difference to me as long as the horn does the job well. I have no part in that.

All I care is how well it plays in tune, how comfortable is it to play, and whether I can sound good on it. In no particular order, but it has to score high on all 3. Miss any one of them and it's "never mind."

Rotors. 5 of 6 horns I've owned have been piston, though . . .

From a playing perspective , I don't think one has an advantage over another, although some of the throws on a piston horn , particularly the compensated ones can be pretty long - advantage rotors
From a practical standpoint , my horn gets cleaned and serviced once a year -my rotor valves are 100% maintenance free -good rotors win out ! Bad rotors are subject to catastrophic failure

I don't have a preference - I like 'em both. My Eb tubas are all piston-valved, my CC is rotary, and my BBb's are a mix of piston and rotor.
I will say that my piston tubas require MUCH more cleaning/oiling/maintenance than my rotary tubas though