I like both versions of VH but when you get people with personalities like EVH and DLR in the same band things dont last. Hell...when you get people like EVH in bands, bands dont last.
Again, I enjoy both incarnations but I guess the first two VH albums were the best, with the debut album "VanHalen" probably being one of the best and most influential albums of the the 70s-80s. If I had a choice I would prefer VH with DLR (but I dont have a choice so Ill listen to whichever makes good music).