You're purchasing a top of the line Wolf so I would bet that cost isn't an issue. Why then is cost an issue with the hood? It shouldn't be. That's like buying a sports car but using old spare tires. Sounds and looks good......in idle. Wolf recommends 900 CFM for that range, but with a griddle, you may want 1100 or 1200. Wolf also recommends a 42" wide hood. With a griddle I would say that is very important. Some manufacturer's supply a duct for 8 or 9 foot ceilings, where as some, like Vent-A-Hood, offer it in addition. Regarding noise, the LARGER the blower, the QUIETER it will be for everyday use. In my opinion, for less than $2000, you will be forced to get less CFM and less width than you would like. This will make the hood noisier, and not very effective. A Vent-A-Hood meeting the recommended Wolf criteria, will be over $3000. The Broan, with an external blower of 900 or 1200 CFM would be a good unit but will still be over $2000, probably close to $2300-2500. DO NOT get the internal blower, even though it costs less. The extension on this is for an 8-9 ft ceiling. If you can meet the criteria with a Faber, in width and power, that may be the way to go.

Either one is going to be good. Some folks here will have a preference for Wolf over anything Thermador and some will have a preference for having a grill and griddle. Are you located where having an indoor grill will be an advantage? Would you use it or grill outdoors? Are the things you would use a second oven for also things that will do well in a convection micro (smaller size as well as the type of cooking)? The convection micro may not be any larger than the second oven on a 48" range. When I was looking at appliances and planning, a lot of folks were talking about 48" ranges and how much they used the smaller oven and preferred using it so they didn't have to heat the larger one. Seems most of the most often used things could go in the smaller oven. They had me convinced, and I would have liked the look of a range, so I would have done a 48" if a range didn't place the ovens too low for me to work comfortably. In the end, I think you will need to consider your own cooking needs and see which one works best for you. Take a few pans to the store and see for yourself what fits in that smaller oven.

You need to check out whether or not DCS has upgraded their ovens on the DF. When they first came out 5 years ago the electric ovens did not have true convection, did not have hidden elements and did not have rolling racks (even though their electric wall ovens had those features). If they haven't added those features I would definitely go with the Wolf DF. My the way I've had a AG DCS 30" range for 5 years and have been very pleased with it.

Have you looked at Capital? The engineers behind the highly rated DCS of yesteryear left DCS and started Capital. I do believe DCS is now owned by Fisher Paykel. Have you read the reviews on the Appliance forum? I love my Capital 36" range. They have changed the grates (there was an issue with possible tipping pots). Their customer service is great. I called and told them that my oven racks weren't rolling like they did in the showroom, and they sent me a new rack. It glides so smoothly. Plus this range (if you get the self clean) comes with a rotisserie. If you have room for the 36", I think you should go for it. It is so nice having multiple large pots and pans on the range without hanging off the side. Even if you don't use all the burners at once, just the extra room is great. But remember, bigger range, bigger ventilation system needed. You need to add that into your budget. Here is a link that might be useful: Capital's Website