That's crazy money for that deck though!!! If you're a Technics collector, I can see the value. Otherwise??? The transport is fundamentally the same, the electronics are still going to be bested by DocB, Tim de Paravicini, Manley, ATR and the like, and anything it provides above the 1500 is easily replicated by the upper end pro machines.
Not that it'd be easy to repeat but an acquaintance in Australia just picked up a 1/4" Studer A820 from a Sony Studios auction with a full Cello Audio electronics suite that was perfectly maintained and pristine. For $6k. I don't care how great this Technics is... it absolutely positively can't get anywhere near the tape handling finesse and electronics quality. Even if the Studer were double the price it'd be worth it... but for less? If one is going to spend that much... heck, hand the $$$ over to Paul and DocB and tell 'em you want the deck of all decks. You'll end up with better.
Incidentally the decks didn't sell. A friend is talking to them but they're firm on the price. I told him for that much I'd have one of the 820s I have refurbed, sell it to him and still make $3k.