In a sense, yes, when you're talking transports you're talking all about stabilizing. The heavier the player, the less jitter you'll get, and the transport will be able to send out those 0s and 1s with better accuracy. The 9000ES at a respectable 28lbs makes a fine transport...it's also nice to see that it's loading tray slot is so small, it gives a sense that the CD is probably isolated quite well within the player. The 50lbs Sony SCD-1 and 777ES and 60lbs Denon DCD-S1 make even better transports...some people get those players strictly as transports because of their sheer weight.
If you're comparing the 9000's DAC to the Art DIO's though, I'm pretty sure it'd smoke the DIO. Typically you need a DAC that's about the same price as the player, assuming the player has a good internal DAC to begin with, in order to truly beat the internal DAC by a *wide* margin. There's always used deals though on DACs that used to cost the same amount or more as a 9000ES or whatever.
Why spend a lot on a CDP? Just to save on the trouble of having to go with multiple boxes...which in turns means multiple cables. Also the SACD side of Sony's SACD players (and I believe the DVD-A side of DVD-A players) are NOT outputted through the digital out, due to piracy issues. And as said above, most CDPs nowdays have good enough DACs inside that it'd take a DAC that's pratically as much as the whole box to beat the internal DAC.
The 9000 was, and is the real ear opener to me about sources. I used to be pretty stubborn about using soundcards and MP3s, but with the 9000, I don't even
think about MP3s anymore. I haven't downloaded an MP3 for the past 6 months, and for all I know, never will again. I haven't even listened to music from my computer for the past 6 months literally. I'm totally back to buying CDs. My previous source was a Denon 370. Was the 9000 worth the extra $800?
HELL YES. Not only does it totally murder the Denon in sound, but there is just a much bigger sense of pride I get in owning the 9000ES. As in I'm a 100% happy camper and get a big grin every time I turn it on and see that beautiful big blue light turn on and watch that solid slim little tray slowly slide out.
