When you say you can't afford a unit of similar quality, I assume you mean build quality? Nothing was built like those old Sonys. But for sound, I would say the new 5400 will probably surpass the 777 in all ways, and it's built pretty nice too. There's one up for sale from a dealer for about a grand. I guess it's worth a try to revive your old player, but just to ship that beast to Dan Wright is going to cost. Just something to keep in mind. But I will say, the 777 was a thing of beauty.