I have an SCD-1 and am very happy with it. I heard the two side by side at a dealer, and the SCD-1 did sound better. Somehow the 777 sounded darker, slower and heavier. My first instinct was to think that it was balanced vs. unbalanced cables (I know they had the same brand and model of cables on both, and I'm pretty sure they were MIT, but I don't know which ones), but the dealer felt sure himself that it wasn't just the cables. I can't say, but I can tell you that the SCD-1 is far more sensitive to cable changes than my CD sources are.
Sony SCD-1 vs SCD-777es?
It is getting tougher to find the 777es but the SCD-1 still seems to be available, even under $3k SCD-1 is much more expensive than 777es was more recently ($1500!) but the descriptions on the sony web site don't make them seem that much different. Can any of you comment on first hand experience comparing these two units?