I use a regular machine, my Viking SE. I get better and better with each quilt! And if I might brag....I'm pretty good! My sister bought a LA.....she quilts the very same as me actually! The difference is I spend time with the sandwiching process and she can just load it. I have done a small queen with my machine.
I used to dream of buying a LA, but at the end of the day I doubt that I will. I have the room as all of 4 kids have moved out into the world, but I think about the huge cost. Then.....I think about all the fabric I can buy for that money!!
I still get very nervous before I start quilting. I work so hard on the pattern selection, the fabric selection, my piecing....I fear ruining it with bad quilting. So, I start with a fresh mind. No time constraints. And sometimes a little glass of wine to calm my nerves!