ok Squeak!
But like you just wrote ... you didn't need to try the 9000pro ... to KNOW what it was like! All I suggested he sit down side by side with both and MAKE up his OWN mind! Since obviously your's was made up before you even played the 9000pro... i mean NEVER PLAYED ONE!

As to price of 550 ... look on ebay ...I've seen them the last month going for 300-350 brand new! Sorry ... if i you payed more!

He most certainly should get other people's feedback and read both the pro reviews on both and his actual sitting down with them! That's all i'm suggesting.... At least I sat down with both and played them!