Point of Diminishing Returns?

Does the Proceed AVP have a true analog direct? It might, I'm not sure. IMHO, I would advise redirecting the $3000 this way: Sell the Sony DVP-S7700. Buy the new Sony DVP-S9000ES. It has CD, DVD, and SACD. You will love it. I own one. The new 9000es costs $1500 list, minus whatever you get for the 7700. You can save yourself quite a bit of money on the player. This is just what I would do based on your surrounding electronics with no additional upgrades. If you bought the SCD-1 it would be way out ahead of the Proceed pre-amp and the Rotel amp. They are fine electronics, but the SCD-1 edges them out. I think the 9000ES would pair nicely with them. But, the main thing is for you to be happy with your purchase. If you want the ultimate in quality and sound, get the SCD-1 or 777. If you want to save some money, and get almost the ultimate in quality and sound, get the 9000ES. But don't let the fact that the 9000ES is a "cheaper" SACD player fool you. It does true progressive scan DVD, and in SACD mode it sounds better than pretty much any CD player on the market today (not the astronomically priced ones, but once fully burned in it bests my Meridian 508.24) Anyway, I'm sure the other patrons of this site will have a different opinion. Happy shopping.

I think I made an error. I see above that you own the Sony XBR400. Great TV. Almost bought one. I did buy the KW-34HD1. I then returned it because it would not accept 480p from anything but the HD component inputs--not the regular component inputs. I contacted Sony customer service to inquire which of their TVs accepted progressive scan from DVD players, and this is what they said:

The current model Sony Wega Televisions do not suppport Progressive scan
DVD players. The only two models of Sony consumer TV's that do are
Projection TVs: KP53/61XBR300 and KP-53/61HS10 through the HD component
input they display 480 progressive as 480 progressive.

The 65" KWP64 HD1 HDTV can also display 480p as 480p.

That is why I did not buy it. I bought the 55" Mitsubishi Diamond instead. Unless you can verify that your set will support progressive scan from a DVD player you will not be able to get the full benefit of the DVP-S9000ES. The interlaced image is great, but progressive is killer. I think my suggestion about upgrading the player might not be so good after all. Unless you don't really care about progressive scan and really want the SACD. You could also upgrade the TV. Hate to have to see you do that.

What's wrong with the Sony 9000ES? There are not too many other reference players out there. And even of those, while the DVD video might be better, Once bitten has stated that he wants the SACD feature. Now I might be wrong, but I think the Sony is the only DVD player to offer this option.