Hello Carl:
 
Time will tell.  Consumer Reports' lowering of the ratings and rankings of dyson vacuums from year to year does not bode well for the top priced bagless brand import.  In concert with CR's inclination to impugn overpriced, false claims, and "fad"products (like the Ionic Breeze).
 
I will be interested to see whether and how Consumer Reports addresses the rug warranty void by one major wool carpet manufacturer in California.  I can attest firsthand to dyson's shortcomings on my Mohawk wool carpets based on my own personal usage.  The DC07 pink was worthless and useless on my wool carpets despite written dyson claims on the carton and product literature to the contrary (which dyson has since eliminated and/or toned down).
 
I'll see how the Oreck XL does in comparison on my wool carpets.  My sense is that my dear Wife will enjoy using it on the ceramic tiles, wool carpets and throw rugs and the XL will perform like a winner.  For $149, it was an offer I could not refuse (for my Wife's sake and the good of the marriage).  
 
Carmine D.

Hello OT:
 
No, just a proud owner of an English lab and member of the Humane Society of the US.  Qualifies me and others for the lower Oreck XL price.  
 
Carmine D.

Hello JD:
 
Thanks for the follow up posts.  Covering "wear and tear" parts under a limited warranty (especially 5 years limited) sounds out of the ordinary.  Save for unconditional warranties.  Exceptions to the rule on wear and tear parts are sometimes allowed depending on the facts and circumstances.  On a case by case bases.
 
I explained before having bought a HOOVER Floor Mate in August 2006 (Model 3060) and the next day cracking the nozzle.  My fault.  HOOVER covered the part and free shipping (which I suspect is about $25-35 plus shipping) under warranty.  It was not under warranty.  The customer service rep granted some latitude in the coverage.  It was clearly a crack caused by me the  
user.  
 
The dirt by-pass hoses on the DC07 are flimsy and proned to coming off easily during use.  Because of its under machine position and exposure, it snags on the floors and rugs causing it to come off.
 
I like the durability and extra strength of the DC15 dirt path hose (and wider diameter).  I don't like the side mount for the reason you mentioned.  Strange how dyson waffles back and forth with the size and positioning of the dirt path hose.  Almost like the vacuum is still in a "prototype mode."  I call it a "work-in-process."  Never completed.  Did the same with the cyclone design.  I would think after 5174 tries once dyson settled in on a dirt and air direction, it stick with it.  Nope.  Doesn't make sense to me.  
 
Carmine D.

Hello OT:
 
The first Dial was the model 1100 about 1963 and had the by pass hose (which was tuflex just like it's attachment hose) screwed into the dirt path channeling which was painted plastic.  HOOVER soon made a few quick and easy changes.  HOOVER cuffed the hose connection in the vacuum and made it a pressure fit (for easy removal to clean and unclog).  And made the dirt by-pass channeling see-thru clear plastic so users could see/clear any clogs (like Christmas tree needles).  Dials and power dials had a long successful production run (about 20 plus years) and led to the Concept series.  
 
Carmine D.

Quote from JD on 04/20/07 at 4:01am:

 
I've seen Dyson DC04's with split dirt-path hoses. It seems to be because the floor nozzle is constantly flexing the hose as the cleaning head adjusts to the floor surface, as the cleaner is pushed back and forth.
 
UK Electrolux 500 uprights had a dirt-path hose too, but it was narrower and reinforced with polyester/nylon mesh (similar to the American Hoover hoses).