FWIW, I recently switched to an Aqua La Scala. I wasn’t planning to spend more than $3-4k, but was able to audition it in my system, and was captivated.
I can’t be of much help in terms of comparisons, though I originally owned a Pontus II, and consider the Aqua to be a significant step up. The Terminator, which would be a more fair comparison, may be a different story, though.
From a technical standpoint, the modular design and upgrade potential is an attractive aspect of the Aqua.