Josten - The simple reality is that I expect that you will be able to get a 3D capable projector for just a few hundred bucks more (at most) for the equivalent 2D model now and I do expect Panasonic and Epson to deliver for about $2,000-$3,000 for their 120hz or 240hz models.
I have a post in the displays section of these forums on a demo I did with 3D and it has absolutely made me hold off on any new projector purchase until 3D is there.
As well, I think you get into a very questionable spot when you talk about switching out a projector like the RS1 for any LCD or DLP model with similar resolution. The bump in quality you are likely to see is going to be miniscule.
Also, while the Panasonic offers the 'zoom' 2.35 functionality, this does absolutely nothing to improve image quality, and in fact, degrades image quality for 2.35 material compared to 16:9 material.
I have been a person who steps up and says what I think, and when it comes to anamorphic CIH setups, I think that most people simply don't have the budget to do it properly so they hurt their image quality just so they can say they have it. It's an extremely poor way of achieving a goal instead of simply saving up the cash to get the product which actually delivers the quality you are looking for.
Quality which can only be acheived, at this time, by a GOOD anamorphic lens, matched to a good 2.35 screen with solid image processing to scale the 2.35 source to full frame.
If people have to have 2.35, then the AE4000 type product is definitely the cheap way to do it as spending money on a fair to poor anamorphic lens is a total waste of money and hurts the image more than the zoom method. But, not one of these methods is a good way to deal with 2.35 material.
What we are waiting on, and something that I do expect to see in the next five years, is 2.35 native pixel structure projectors. 2560x1080 projectors (or so) when the come to market will be able to directly handle 2.35 material and then be able to fully resolve 16:9 1080p material without any scaling whatsoever.
Vizio is actually leading the way with their 58" LCD display they showed at CES. If this product comes to market and does well, it could really allow for some interesting projector developments in the next few years...
http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/vizio-unveils-58-inch-2-351-led-backlit-lcd-hdtv-2010016/