I was listening to a friend's 963 last night and noticed a gentle ticking every 2-3 seconds during quiet passages.

It was a mechanical sound and didn't come through in the music, I was just hearing the player directly.
Interestingly, when it was on pause I just heard the (not particularly quiet) transport running--the ticking was only when it when music was being played.
Anyone else run into this?
Thanks! Dayne
PS What are good alternatives to the 963, codefree in Europe?