The thing about SC (warning, I own a 2014 5010), is that they got:
For some perspective, I tried a 2016 Specialized Camber 650b recently, and I came from a Giant Anthem SX. They both have short chainstays. HT angle is close to my 5010, and rode the Spesh with 130mm front and 140mm upforked front. The Anthem SX has a 130mm front with close HT angle as my 5010. I prefer my 5010 by far to the Camber, but it isn't because the Camber is a worse off bike. It's far from a bad bike. It's one of the best Specialized bikes I've ever ridden. I just don't like the feedback I get from the Spesh Horst Link suspension compared to the VPP. The Anthem SX is also VPP design, but it isn't stable enough for my liking and is more XC than general trail.
Maybe it's because I always rode VPP type bikes and like that feel. Marin Quad XC to Giant Maestro to Santa Cruz. Everybody implements different leverage curves into their VPP design, but I've always felt better on a VPP compared to Horst or Split Pivot designs.
Do I think the SC is worth the markup? Yes and no. Some of it is marketing. A lot of it is the thought and design behind the scenes with SC. They make an outstanding bike frame, and it shows when you ride it (as you can see from your demo days). I haven't ridden one yet, but I'd like to try out the Kona Process and see what the hubbub is all about. They look like nice bikes, but for now my SC (with its upforked 140mm Pike) is my favorite bike to date. Fast, doesn't punish me too much on climbs with my slacker HT angle, and allows me to maintain speed and (most importantly) confidence on my descents.