I have no direct experience, but one of the dealers that I frequent that sells the Pioneer gear has commented to me that the newer (and much less expensive) DV-37 sounds at least as good, if not better than the DV-09. There have also been some very positive posts with respect to the sound quality of the DV-37 in other threads here from people who own the player (many who have compared it to Cd only players up to about the $1500 mark). Don't know whether it would equal the FMJ player, but when my DVD player conks out, I'll be taking a serious look/listen to the DV-37 or its replacement.