Just my opinion… 
New versions does not mean “bleeding edge”. Old version does not mean “Stable and rock solid”.
It is a trade-off. I’ve also applied the rule “If it is not broken don’t fix it” but it is not true all the time.
For example I’ve used Clear OS stable on a server with wan connected to internet. And it so happened that it got hacked.
Why? because the software was not updated to the newest version. All the focus was on the new version of C.O. and the fixes were announced to be available in the new release… but the current release did not get the fixes.
Anyway. I suggest to not confuse new versions of software, with bleeding edge software technology.
Also we must not base our trust on the “proven” technology just because it works. Because it can work very well with the malicious code inside it .
Also Development versions Like Alpha, Beta and RC’s, are to be used in testing env. not in production.
After all, if we keep using “proven technology” we will not advance and the dev’s. work for will be for nothing.
If there is a Stable version released we should be going forward with it and use it. Test it, then make a pre update stage and finally make the upgrade.
As my conclusion goes. If a new software was released as “stable”, we should go with it and make the steps to upgrade.
Best regards
Bogdan