I wrote a three part review after Ken worked on mine. You may want to read it, it should explain what to expect. As for a new machine, I do not think you'll find anything as good for the same cost you'll have into the SCD-1 and the mod. I think at even $10,000 you will find it hard to match your machine once it's been modified.
Sony SCD-1:Is it time to tweak or upgrade to new?
Other then the ridiculously long time it takes for my SCD-1 to determine what kind of disk is inserted(not to mention the occasional refusal to read a particular disk at all)I am quite satisfied with it's performance. I was just wondering if anybody thought the technology has advanced enough to warrant 'upgrading' to the current generation. Perhaps the new Esoteric or Krell. Also are any of the tweaks for the SCD-1 of the do-it-yourself variety? I'm a bit possessive over my gear.