Yeah, I hear ya. I also share your frustration with their decision to push the new Field series products even higher into the luxury goods stratosphere.
Those choir dolls are pretty cool! The evolution of the first project TE's founders worked on together even before they decided to start the company and focus on OP-1.
Yeah, at this point TE is really more of a design studio that happens to make high-end audio equipment (along with other luxury stuff). I do think that, at least when OP-1 was released back in 2011, the target was music pros or borderline professional enthusiasts. Due to the growth of the community around it in the past decade, it's definitely possible it's gravitated less professional and more high-end consumer.
You and me both, my friend! The price is definitely high, but there are solid used options available for the original at this point if you're patient and strike when the moment's right. Treat yo'self!
100% with ya. High-end music gear and camera equipment are always on my wish list. It's easy to fall into 'gear acquisition syndrome', so I've just tried to be intentional about treating myself to nice gear only when I know I'm really gonna use it. Also thankfully, I live in a big city where I've been able to buy and sell some great equipment on the secondhand market.