Riccar has made good machines, but I don't know too much about them. In comparison with any brand, a Bernina usually comes out more smooth running and with neater zigzag. My comparsion in mostly the older 730, 830, and a 900 Nova. I can't rember exactly, but I have used 1980s Berninas too. For some reason there have been a few Berninas around me, and I have only owned two of them. The new ones are different, I have tried a couple of them, and they are nice.
I looked up Riccar 440, and it's spot on this Bernette. I wonder why these badged machines are sold as Bernette and we are told they are developed in cooperation with Bernina? They say Husqvarna are Scandinavian technology, Elna are Swiss developed technology, Pfaff German,... a bit hard to trust the claims. On the other hand, the turn knobs on the 440 are not too far from 1970s and 80s Bernina.