Looking at the prices on the used market, it seems that SCD-1 goes for about the same amount as the SCD-XA9000ES.

Why would this be? The SCD-XA9000ES is considerably newer than the SCD-1, and, therefore, I assume that it would probably sound better due to refinements in the technology for SACD playback. Also, the SCD-XA9000ES has multi-channel output and can output DSD over iLink.

Does the SCD-1 actually sound better than the SCD-XA9000ES? Or is the SCD-1 valued more because of its balanced outs? Or is it just because the SCD-1 looks so cool? :confused:

The old style transport? Similar to the old Sony R style CD transports and DAC combo's of the past?

Don't know but my uncle is fortunate enough to get a SCD-1 when it first came out. Yesterday we took it apart to fix the loose LCD screen. Well the construction is certainly top notch. Just the amount of metal used was amazing. The metal HAD to be atleast 1/4 inch thick on all sides (expect for the left and right side plates which are removable and should be 1/8 inch thick). Everything is built with quality and certainly looks like it. You get a lot of material, no doubt about that. I haven't gotten the chance to listen to a SCD-XA9000ES yet, but the comparing them on appearance of quality alone, the SCD-1 wins.