David,

I do not comprehend why you want to buy xStream right off the bat.  Yeah - it is/can be buggy for the first few service packs.  In your workflow, just test & re-test the patched up demo until you feel you can effectively use it in production.  Then buy it.  Seems E-On patch the demo with a little time lag compared to the production version.

I wish I was in your shoes.  You can pick your entry point.  I've been upgrading since VUE4 and do not want to loose my foot in the door.  To spend $1500 without income to write it off against is a "pain" I do not want to endure.  It's cheaper for me to upgrade the full point versions.

There are a few tutorials around that show how to use xStream with Max.  Check out this thread:
http://www.geekatplay.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=308

...Cheers