More a question about Rivendell frames, but with touring/daily four season commuting in mind.

Anyone have any experience with the various Rivendell frames (including the Atlantis and Herons). What really separates say, a $1300 US production frame (Atlantis) from a fully custom $2500 frame (Rivendell proper), from a $400 Surly frame?

Once I recover from the dent that my current Surly Long Haul Trucker put in my wallet (long time), I was thinking of getting a Rivendell for a second steed, but the price is intimidating. (Hell, I feel awkward having spent 1500 on a complete bicycle. The whole "don't trust activists that have a new expensive car" thing. But hey, I don't even own a car!)

I am not really even sure why the idea of a Rivendell appeals to me so much, other than that it speaks to my love for the fantasy genre, and they're based in California.