Best Redbook/SACD player for under $1000?

You'd be hard pressed to do better than the sony dvp s9000es which can be found used for about $600. Of course you could also then send the unit to Stan Warren in Eugene, OR for a $250 upgrade that could bring sonic improvements upwards of 25% to 40%.

Stan says 25%, a friend of a friend says 40%.

-IMO

What if I could get the new Sony 999ES for the same price as the 9000ES? Do they have the same performance?

Sorry, I don't know anything about the 999es.