Pearl SY-1 Syncussion: Why is this popping up now?

So this little box of sliders was driving me nuts... saw it in a few different setups of people putting out great records right now (Cinthie, Patricia)... but I couldn't ID it... Finally, a link here on EB to a Nils Frahm article gave me a photo clear enough to lead me to it:

The Pearl SY-1 Syncussion

Anyone have experience with these old things? Are they really worth the gear-shelf space these artists are giving them? I'm a bit incredulous, but the evidence gathering here on EB is intriguing.

Update 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__7HyZkuKHg

OK, it sounds cool... but the only one on Reverb right now is going for $2k... seriously?!?

Update 2:

...and there's a clone that looks nearly identical... the plot thickens!

https://www.psycox.co.uk/product-page/syncussion-sy-1m-kit

Update 3:

..orrrrr the SY-1 clone kit from Human Comparator:

https://reverb.com/item/10525464-the-human-comparator-syncussion-sy-1