I think the stock Sonys I have are good values and decent, but not great, transports (for the money,I think they're comparable to what you'd get in similar-priced high-end dedicated transports) but they can make excellent transports when modded.
I'd go for a used 7000 or 7700 and get it modded over a stock 9000 or 999 (actually, I did). And Tonnesen, condider keeping your 9000 and getting transport mods done (w/ Bybees). I suspect, based on my 7700 experience, that you'll pay a lot more to get equal performance.
I previously used a stock Sony 7000 as transport(approx equal to my $1700 Micromega--better bass and soundstage, slightly less pure in highs) and now using a Modwright-modded 7700 which is a significant improvement all-around. The 7000 now acts as a transport for a link DAC in another room (I think the 9000 deserves a better DAC than the Link, though).
The 7700 internel DACs are OK by today's CD standards, but my Modwright PT P3-A is much better. It's a great little DAC (modded). And the Link DAC improves upon the 7000 as a player, too. Haven't heard the 9000 in my system.
I'd go for a used 7000 or 7700 and get it modded over a stock 9000 or 999 (actually, I did). And Tonnesen, condider keeping your 9000 and getting transport mods done (w/ Bybees). I suspect, based on my 7700 experience, that you'll pay a lot more to get equal performance.
I previously used a stock Sony 7000 as transport(approx equal to my $1700 Micromega--better bass and soundstage, slightly less pure in highs) and now using a Modwright-modded 7700 which is a significant improvement all-around. The 7000 now acts as a transport for a link DAC in another room (I think the 9000 deserves a better DAC than the Link, though).
The 7700 internel DACs are OK by today's CD standards, but my Modwright PT P3-A is much better. It's a great little DAC (modded). And the Link DAC improves upon the 7000 as a player, too. Haven't heard the 9000 in my system.