Yes, your cost/quality evaluation was one of things that had me chucking the C&C. I had forgotten that it was you! It was a big help when I decided to do things right and use good thread.
At least I got most of the many spools of gutterman (poly) on serious sale, but it works pretty well. It is a bit linty-er than Madiera, but it is thinner too. I said Mettler last night, I meant Madiera. Sulky bobbin thread is seriously linty, even more linty than Gutterman poly. I didn't buy Aurifil for a while because I hated to order it blind, but a LQS had some in a dark forest green that they'd discounted, so I tried it. And it really is very nice. Every machine I have makes pretty stitches with it.