Cheers GA, makes a thought provoking read for me.
I managed to shake the "Synth bug" in the early 90s (91 to be exact) but recently found myself getting drawn back towards them.
Been looking a bit more towards the workstation/multi-timbral type things from Korg & Roland, but also looking at the route of a few "smaller" synths & racks.
Another couple of synths that looks interesting and might fit the OP's bill are the Roland SH-01 Gaia & the Moog Minotaur (remote keys needed for the Minotaur, though I'd go with the Little Phatty if budget allows).
Mod, I think you moved this to the wrong place. Bass guitar is more appropriate for the subject, but I would have thought "Other Instruments" probably suits better?