Took to LBS who thinks it's chainring wear. Bingo!

The bike having trouble with is 9 speed 53/39 '05 Giro (training/flatter terrain road bike)

Also have '06 Tarmac 50/34 (faster, hillier rides); Looking to upgrade it's cranks anyway:

Today we swapped out the crankset from my '06 Tarmac (10 spd) and installed onto the Giro; it made less noise, but still not quiet (enough)..

Possible changes:
1) Tarmac has FSA SLK crankset-->upgrade to KForce-Light
2) Move the used SLK to Giro; likely need new chainrings b/c of wear and moving from 10 spd going to 9 spd bike; so this bike will be changing from 53/39 to 50/34.
3) New FSA Gossamer already purchased; have in hand. Use on 2005 Bianchi Cross bike (dirt-gravel/commuting/training).

Recs?