Old stuff isn't always a death trap. It's been working fine for decades if nobody messed with it. People get too worked up over things that just need a check, not a panic.
Remember when they built things to last? My dad still uses the same lawn mower from 1985, and I swear the only thing that ever breaks down is me trying to start it. I get the charm of old gear, but sometimes you have to admit defeat before you cause a small disaster.
Ever hear about people using pennies in old fuse boxes? My buddy's dad had one in his basement that he refused to update. It worked fine for years until a storm knocked out power and the penny fused to the contacts. They had to call an electrician anyway, and it cost more than just replacing the box. Sometimes old stuff just needs to go before it causes bigger problems.