My two bits.
I had my Mac 240 refurbished by Ryan at Audio Classics and it was worth every penny. Not quite the $1900 of the OP, but it wasn't cheap either. I fiddle around and refurbish old Triumph cars, NOS and reissue parts are very reasonable compared to some better HiFi. But i guess my point or correlation is that after all is said and done, one has a valuable and cherished item that will last another 50 years.
I had my Mac 240 refurbished by Ryan at Audio Classics and it was worth every penny. Not quite the $1900 of the OP, but it wasn't cheap either. I fiddle around and refurbish old Triumph cars, NOS and reissue parts are very reasonable compared to some better HiFi. But i guess my point or correlation is that after all is said and done, one has a valuable and cherished item that will last another 50 years.