I know exactly what you mean. I had a Pfaff 1475CD back in the day, which was a brilliant machine, but getting on a bit. So, I sold it to upgrade, and adealer put me off newer Pfaffs telling me they were rubbish, and that I would be better with Janome. Janome machines were OK, but despite going through 3 or 4, I did not love any of them. I always regretted getting rid of my old Pfaff. I went into local dealers during Covid to enquire about the newer Pfaffs, and was told they were good machines, maybe not quite as good as the 1475CD, but still very good machines. I later found out the dealer I had originally asked did not sell Pfaff machines at that time. Unfortunately new Pfaff machines were order only and taking months, but he had a second hand QE4 at a bargain price, so I thought it would be a good way to try a newer Pfaff. I realised it was the Pfaff IDT that no other machine could match up to - I found the Janome walking foot system bulky and clunky. It just felt right, and had all the features I had missed. I went in at a later date to look at a newer machine, and came out with another second hand one, a Performance 5 with a full set of feet and attachments. i then for nostalgia's sake ended up with a 7550 and a 1475CD, and still like the older ones. After many years chopping and changing machines, and overlockers etc, I have finally got a selection of machines that I love. I had at one point downgraded from 8 machines, but it seems 8 is the magic number, as I am now back to 8. I son;t need them all, but I do love them all.