I would get the Ult
I had the 8500 and loved it and then got the Duetta...and I love, love it...so much when I got a great steal on the Pfaff Creative Vision 5.0 I had to buy it as well.
Get the largest hoop size you can afford. Brother machines are very user friendly.
I use the emb. for gifts, in the hoop projects (baby bibs, baby wipe cases, makeup bags, etc...) and for quilting some quilts.
PM me if you have any questions and I will try and answer them.
Kirsten