Janome 9500 good choice?

The MC9500 is a good quallity machine and its "on-board" editing functions are easy to work with. Also, if you plan to download designs from the internet, you can get them to the MC9500 without additional software. You will need a Compact Flash memory card (same as those used in cameras) and a PCMCIA ATA adaptor (same as those used in laptop computers). Both are inexpensive and widely available. I'm not familiar with U-S pricing on this machine.

gwh

You can also get the Kemore 19010 Ergo which is made by Janome, it's pretty much the equivalent of the 10001. I just got the Kemore one and I'm quite happy with it.

Since it's made by Janome and a fraction of the price, it's something to think about.

I can only tell you that Janome machines are real workhorses and rarely need repair IF the owner takes care of it and has it professional serviced at least once a year by an authorized Janome repairman.

DQ

Can you tell me anything about the quality of the Janome embroidery product vs Brother or Husquvarna-Viking?

The quality of the machines is excellent. The quality of the embroidery depends a lot on the quality of the digitizing. All things being equal, the Janome machine will do an excellent job, as good as the HV or Brother.

And they seem to have the ability to survive more abuse and lack of routine servicing than many other machines.

gwh

I have two Janomes and two Kenmores and they are workhorses. I've never had to have a major repair done on either one of the machines and I'm a quilter, so my machines take a lot of abuse.

My oldest one, a Kenmore 26 stitch even fell on the floor a couple of times and required no repairs either.

I'll never buy anything but Janome/Kenmore (kenmores are made by Janome)