State of the online community right now

Hi

I stopped three years ago with this game, for multiple reasons, but yesterday the realization came: I never hit captain, which was my goal when I first picked up Aoe3.

I plan to go back to get captain and fulfill my dream(my highest rank was, if i recall it correctly high-1st lieutenant) but I'm afraid that there aren't too much players anymore.

Is this true?or Are there enough users? Are there enough users on the original(no expansions) or should I go to TAD right away? By enough I mean more than 1500 online players.

Thank you everyone who answers!