Barudan, Tajima, & Happy

I have owned a Happy 1501, and currently own a Toyota like the Tajima single head.
Rank your priorities. If absolute precision is #1 then I would rank Tajima or Barudan at the top. These machines last for decades if you take care of them; so the difference in cost between the 3 is insignificant over 10 years if you are comparing new. Look at a sew out of very detailed designes done on all 3. Service after the sale is VERY important. Make sure you have solutions to that. If you do what I have listed above, you decision will be much easier.

Barudan, hands down.

Correct me if I'm wrong but barudan's LCD display looks old school and outdated compare to the others and I wonder whether the rest of the mechanical systems are also outdated as well.

I will put our 2009 up against anything out there. I will admit, I have never owned Tajima, but those that have owned both will say, Barudan is better especially when doing caps.

I totally agree with the bridge style machine comment from above. Also keep in mind that the digitizing make a big difference in the final sew out. Both companies sell software and each will tell you that their's is the best. Take a clean printed design with detail, ask each company to digitize it and sew it. You need to watch this process. Tell them you will pay them $50.00 to digitize it; so it is not like you are looking for a free design. Watch each machine sew, listen to how loud they are and then compare the sew out. This takes a little time, but you will live with your decision for a long time so do your research up front.
Take the difference in cost between each machine and divide that number by 120. (10 years at 12 months per year) Either of these machines will easily last 10 years. You will see that the difference in cost might only be $25.00 per month. That is insignificant when it comes to the big picture. If quality is most important to you then the sew out and quietness of the machines will be obvious.