Sony SCD-XA777ES or SCD-1

They're some upgrade paths for the 9000es that are worth investigating that make it an excellent player.
I personally own a xa777es and while it is a very, very good player, I am now considering investing in a CD only player. I really don't think SACD is going to fly or reach expectations. Even Sony is backing off somewhat now in some of their latest comments. I personally own about 12 SACD's and probably 400 CD's. I have handpicked the SACD's and they do sound better than most CD's. However, a lot of SACD's are not really any better than their CD counterparts.
So, after saying all of that, I would look for an excellent universal player or upgrade the 9000.
The SCD-1 is an excellent player but it is getting older (even though it is built like a brick house)removing SACD from the picture, they're better CD only players to be had.
The xa777es is no longer available and has been replaced with the xa9000es selling for about $2100. I personally heard no really definable differences in the two players. The main difference is in a couple of more features and slightly better multichannel(and I do mean slight)performance.

Sony, I am currently looking at a Wadia 861se(I'm also looking at the Musical Fidelities Tri-Vista player.) I sold a Meridian 508-24 to purchase the Sony for SACD purposes. The xa777es pretty much holds its own with that player. Its not better, just different. The Meridian has a warmer, more relaxed sound where the 777es isn't analytical, it's just more in that direction. I also owned a Sony SCD-1 and really didn't care for it(for the price.) I sold it to buy the Meridian. I know a lot of people like the SCD-1 but it just wasn't MY cup of tea. On CD's, I much prefered the Meridian sound although I did feel the Sony had a little more soundstage width(it also added a slight edge to the beginning edge of voices in my system.)
In your particular case, I would opt for the SCD-1 or the xa777es. Which one would depend on the system it would be used in.