I have to agree with you Bmpync, $500.00 is more than just chump change. It really depends on where your next purchase is heading, or what your last one was. It wouldn't make a lot of sense to dump the player you just got so you can loose money there and go spend even more on another player just to hear SACD. Don't get me wrong, it is a great format but not a lot of software yet. If you where all ready in the market for a cd player or dvd player then it is worth a listen. The Sony 7700 (cd playback) was not in the same ball park at all when compared to the Cal. Audio but the 9000es could hang with it. I feel o.k. saying it would compare with 1 to 1.5k cd players but am not so sure about some of the comparisons with Levinson and such. Thanks for the compliment, your posts and replies allways are considerate and helpfull.