What is the best replacement for hobbyists?

Taig maybe?

https://taigtools.com/

(ob. discl., I work for a hobbyist CNC company, but we don't offer a 4th axis or lathe)

I purchased a Taig earlier this year. It is for small stuff and/or softer materials.

complacent consumers.

Oh wait you meant something else,

Myself I am biased towards antique manual machines, if you are not in a hurry you can push them beyond what we might expect.