NM, I had the Sony 7700 DVD player just before the Pioneer DV-37, and since I use my DVD player for CD playback, the Pioneer was a welcome relief from the usual Sony digital hardness. It compared favorably with many under $1000 CD players. But, that being said the Sony 9000ES is in another league, it can hold its own compared to almost anything. Considering everything else it does well, I consider it a great value. Of course they will probably come out with a 5 channel SACD/DVD player soon, and a then will most likely follow with an SACD/DVD-A player. I only hope the CD playback remains at this level or is improved, so that I don't miss the 9000ES when upgrade time comes. Also, the lack of CD-R/CD-RW playback is a pain in the butt. I have noticed that many of the DVD-A releases are in the Rock category, and that the majority of SACD releases have been Classical/Jazz. I love my 16th century Lute CD's, Jazz Classics,and occasional Beethoven's 9th really cranked up loud, but my first love is Rock, and would certainly rather have the Stone Temple Pilots, or Chris Isaak on SACD than Jennifer Lopez, (no slight to Miss Lopez intended), so DVD-A does have one thing in their favor, more popular releases. Probably the first format to offer a Sting or Dave Matthews album will come up the winner. I wish that the Phillips player had progressive scan, 5 channel SACD and DVD-A, I would have bought one.