I've been playing with one for over a year now and can't say enough good things about it. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. On top of that Keith and Sherry are very good to deal with and super nice people.
You picked a good one to start with. I played with a sniper for a few years and liked the way it played. Then I switched to a kamui med. Plays a little bit firmer and lasts longer. Preference in tips is pretty subjective. Try different tips until you find the one you like.
I read the book as well and I believe it states in the book that every table is different. I think the cloth has a lot to do with it. From my experience tables covered with simonis760 or some other really fast cloth seem to come up dead on with how Freddy describes them in his book.