Hi
I really wouldn't say there is any synth that is much better than another as it is the act of knowing an instrument inside out (so to speak) which helps you "learn how it thinks". My first synth was a Casio CZ-1000 which had a reputation for being a pain to program as it was all under those membrane buttons. What I think it did was make me see "the big picture" so I could understand how changing one part affected another. My next instrument was an Emu Emax I (then II) and they weren't much better but I totally loved them as in my mind I could "see" everything, even tho they were in a flat Matrix Menu.
borrowed from vintagesynth.com (right side is the whole programmer except waves in center)
(far right buttons + printed menu is the whole programmer)
To be fair, seeing the big picture is my greatest talent/curse so naturally I tend to operate from that. Best to know what your natural mode is and work from that to understand one instrument like Sub or Thor so well you can use it to do anything you think. Once you get that way of understanding the single chosen instrument then it is easier to transfer to another instrument (altho you will find it far less necessary) so choose an instrument you naturally like as this will be your wife.