(raising hand!)
I have it!! I have it!!!!
I love it!!! I love it!!!!!!
Seriously. About 6-7 years ago my husband gave me my choice of a sewing machine to replace my 1983 Sears Kenmore which needed a doctor more often, and I was starting to get back into sewing clothing for myself. I chose a Husqvarna Lily 535 - and I have NO problems with that machine. I still use it to sew with, especially if my Janome is set up for FMQ (because I'm lazy and I hate swapping out feet).
A year or so later I discovered quilting. Across the street from my Husky dealer is a LQS and they are Janome dealers (hubby and I didn't shop there when we were looking for a machine). At some point a few years ago I was measuring the harp width on the 6600P with my fingers and one of the store ladies came over and offered to show me the machine. It was love at first sight. I thanked her and left as I had a perfectly good sewing machine at home.
Flash forward a few more years and Janome introduces the Horizon 7700 - the same features as the 6600 with even more harp space. I ooohed and ahhhed that one too and the same store lady came over and we talked about the 7700 and she said that a few people were going to trade in their 6600's for a 7700. Hmmmm .... so ... she saved one for me
The Janome 6600 and I took a while before we *understood* each other. Sewing machines are indeed like cars - some are instantly comfortable to some people while others have to get used to them. Me and the Janome had a bit of getting used to - not much - but everything wasn't perfect right out of the box. At first I thought it was finicky about lesser quality thread, but I've since discovered it's not - perhaps I'm doing something different, I really can't say for sure, but things are super now and my machine and I speak the same language and she does everything I ask her to do.
I love the accufeed foot. I purchased the 1/4 accufeed foot and I use it to piece long strips. No pinning or gluing, just shoot two strips under the foot and feeds them nice and evenly.
I much prefer my Janome to my Husky for FMQ. I adore FMQ on the Janome! It's sooooo easy.
So the answer is no, I would not seek out a different manufacturer ... but I *might* seek out a 7700.
My only complaint about the Janome 6600 is the right rear screw that holds down the plate. I have very tiny hands and I still have to be a hand contortionist to remove that particular screw. I remove my plate quite often because I'm a constant cleaner of my machine (at least every bobbin change - and if I'm using "dirty" thread, more often).
Their new one (the one that has an even longer harp than the 7700, all the features of a 7700, PLUS it embroiders on a pretty darn big hoop to boot) is pretty awesome as well, but I can't justify spending $12K on a sewing machine. If someone were to give me one though I wouldn't refuse
So this is one big YES for the Janome 6600 (or 7700).