Blofeld and Sledge seem to overlap a fair bit. Does the Blofeld have any advantages? (The Sledge's knobby interface is clearly it's big attraction.)

The VFM-but-not-cheap award has to go to the Kronos.

Edited to add: the Bass Station II seems to be the equivalent of the Mazda MX5/Miata on sports car forums - the default answer to proper old-school fun on a budget. I must try one.