I just discussed this topic with an LQS owner who also repairs all kinds of machines. She is a very talented lady! She said that she knows of quite a few people who are having trouble with the new Janomes. Her best recommendation is one of the older models of the Pfaffs. She says she likes the new ones too but they are not as good as an older one with less circuitry and plastic.
She said that the problems with most of the new machines is that they are too complicated with trying to put too much into one machine.
Now that I have said all that I will also tell you she is a Pfaff dealer. I believe I can trust her since she is that honest.