Buying a used working machine is your best option. All you have to do is swap the entire transport mechanism from one machine to another. Very simple to do if you have basic DIY skills. Replacing a laser on an existing transport is more difficult and may require calibration of the new laser.
How much to replace a new laser on the Denon 3910?
Normally I would bag it and throw this a "regular" 3910 in the trash, but this baby is John Tucker's Exemplar 3910, so I'm figuring the laser is a cost effective way to stay with greatness.