I have one Janome 360 QDC with simple embroidery stitches. I saw a $10,000 Innova at a quilt show, which seemed like a lot of $, but some people pay nearly that much for a high-end sewing machine. I think it has to do with the investment - are you going to exhibit? sell? teach? rent it out? - as well as just enjoying the LA artistic process.
I'm just quilting for the enjoyment of it, and a $10K investment in a machine which would get used at max half a dozen times a year (figuring I've been quilting for 2 1/2 years and have made maybe 15 projects) would be ridiculous. When I'm ready, I can go to a LQS where they will teach you and rent it out.