q1 Why?
generally more interested in the music itself than recording quality, at least up to a point.
me too.

It wouldn't do any arm to write to Topic.
I'd be interested to hear the reply(not interested enough to do the writing though).

I just listened to it on Spotify.
I noticed a few clicks and the odd harsh bit but it was about what I'd expected. (Most LPs I heard in 1977 had beer splashed on them and the Dansette portable turntable usually had a couple of twopence pieced cello taped to the arm to keep it on the record.). Spotify probably loses quality, I don't know and I accept it as it comes.