When you say "quilt machine" do you mean a home sewing machine with a larger throat or a midarm quilting machine?
When I was in the market, I was contemplating getting a machine with an embroidery unit but decided against it. I do not like to "babysit" the machine while it is doing the embroidery thing. So I got a Babylock Espire (now Symphonie) which has a nice large throat opening for quilting and all the features I need for piecing. The only thing I wish it had was the built-in walking foot.
I cannot justify getting a shortarm let along a longarm. One of these days.......
My recommendation: Make a list of features that you need/want and then go test drive machines with those features in mind.