No, there's nothing preventing people from using it as a raw processor and using LR as a DAM, in your example. I use PM+ as my DAM, for the most part, so it makes sense. I'd thought though that OP was having performance issues with his particular setup even at the image adjustment stage, was fed up with it, the available support, etc, and was looking to completely move off. Regardless, as you say, there are certainly options.