I would, but most arcade sticks are either made by the awful MadCatz or are way too expensive.

D-pads used to be good in the era before 360, PS3, etc., but then console makers just suddenly decided to change what worked into something that doesn't.

Logitech pads are decent but overrated. Yes, the d-pad is better than on the 360's, but the analog sticks are so much worse mainly because their deadzone is just way bigger. I could never really get used to it after having played with much more fine-tuned console pads.

I can say with confidence that the d-pad on the XBone controller is pretty damn good in comparison to its predecessor (like by a shit-ton), but I'm not sure how compatible it'd be with whatever you have for a system.

True, then again you can get a Gamecube- or PS2 controller to work on a PC with an adapter and use x360ce for any games requiring Xinput.

I'm not sure if you've tried these mods before for Xbox360:
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Fix-the-d-pad-on-the-Xbox-360-control-pad-mor/
http://www.amazon.com/Chrome-Transforming-Xbox-360-Controller-Rotating/dp/B007J6NPM8

They do help a bit with the way the D-pad both feels and controls, though it may be worthwhile for you to try some sort of Logitech solution. Or maybe use one of those USB converters and just use a PS2 controller

That said, I'm eyeing this decent-quality entry-level stick for arcade/fighting games ($79 USD):
http://www.amazon.com/Qanba-Q1-PS3-Joystick-Fightstick/dp/B00BXPIO1S/ref=sr_1_1?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1448501808&sr=1-1&keywords=qanba+q1

I'm strongly considering an adapter over the logitech pads.

I'm actually surprised you complain about the buildquality of the x360 controller, I've been fairly critic about the x360 controller but in terms of buildquality it's one of the best I've had.

Normally they are pretty good, but I had one just recently break on me. The wire connecting to the controller base became loose or weak or something and that was causing it to randomly lose power when plugged into my PC. Maybe I just got a bad one?

You got a wired one? Do you wrap the cord around the controller when it's plugged in?

Oh... it might not be this then.

I got a few broken Playstation 2's a few years ago, I could repair all of them. The controllers were another story though.
People wind up the controllers after playing but because they don't (ever) unplug them the small wires inside can't unwind and will break when tension gets too much and they're hell to repair as the controllerinternals (plastic sheet with circuitry) can't be reliably soldered on.

Xbox One standard or Xbox One Elite.

Ask yourself this: Is the Elite really worth over 100 bucks?

I've thought the PS2 with a USB adapter was pretty good, except with the generic driver the buttons mapping that the games show is weird and unintuitive...

Well, i personally went for Xbox360 + an Nintendo SNES clone, like this one:
[url=http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-for-Super-Nintendo-Famicom-SF-SNES-PC-Controller-USB-Windows-Mac-/381472667851?hash=item58d18af8cb:g:rIIAAOxyNmZTku21]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-for-Super-Nintendo-Famicom-SF-SNES-PC-Controller-USB-Windows-Mac-/381472667851?hash=item58d18af8cb:g:rIIAAOxyNmZTku21[/url]

Xbox 360's D-pat it's not the best, but other things are great with that controller, ergonomy, durability, sticks, i like them all. I just use the Nintendo clone when i don't want nothing fancy, strictly for D-pad and it's better than Xbox 360 ones.

Mouse and keyboard.......