[nosferatu42]

I'm no expert but when i recently picked up the Tartan dvd i read a comparison that said the criterion version was very similar. The Tartan is a decent version, with about 3 different soundtracks to the silent tinted version.
What i saw of the original version it still seemed quite grainy, but the revelation for me was the William s Burroughs narrated version which wasn't tinted but seemed a much better picture and was faster because it replaced many of the subtitle cards with Burroughs narration. For my money this is now my preferred version.
I would say go for a copy with both versions included then you can make your own mind up.