especially when you bear in mind that it's using higher-end Cherry mechanical keyswitches, not ALPS keyswitches and definitely not Model-M-style buckling-springs.

That's not to say it's not a good keyboard -- it is -- but you'll get [exactly] the same level of quality and feel from a good mech-switched Cherry (which are often cheaper). There's an awful lot of 'geek badge' going on with it, basically.