We've had the Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer for almost 10 years now. Best machines we've ever had. No problems with either one. No stink as long as you leave the washer door open when it's not in use. We also use oxyclean so that may help if you're having issues, don't know for sure. We have hot setting that gets hot, we have pause to put in another item if needed, we have soak cycle - so I'm not sure what others are complaining about. You just need to make sure the machine you buy has the features you want before you buy it.
Our Duet washer gets the clothes really clean and smelling good, and we can put a lot of clothes in a load and it does the job. Have put things like sleeping bags in there and it got nice and clean even though it completely filled the washer. Also does a good job on my motorcycle riding suits.
I'd never go back to a top loader - Never found one of those that didn't wreck clothing, and the HE front loader pays for itself in saved detergent...