I am a true Viking person. I have a #1 and the Designer 1. The new SE is great, but it is like buying a house.
Have you looked at the Baby Lock that is advertised by Eleanor Burns? I think it is the Elite model. I saw them in Paducah. It is very, very quiet. When 30+ women are sewing and you can still talk normally to the person next to you it was impressive. The gals were just raving about the machines, and a lot of those machines went home to new families.
If you like the one at your LQS you know the people and what type of service they provide.
You will love having a new machine in your house. It is like getting a puppy without the puddles. :thumbup: