Advice needed re: new CD player purchase


Hello everyone. New member but long-time lurker here. My system: Bryston 4B-ST amp, Bryston BP25 preamp, and Meridian 508.24 CD player (all purchased in 1998 and all performing flawlessly), Kimber KCAG balanced interconnects, Audioquest speaker cable, and Esoteric power cords. I have Thiel CS2.4 loudspeakers.

I have about 4500 CDs (about 3% of which are hybrid SACDs). I love my system, but I want a new CD player. Am I right to think that advances in audio technology over the last 24 years have left my Meridian in the dust, sonically speaking? So I have been looking at various players. A few parameters: I will only buy new; I want XLR outputs; and I’d prefer to not spend over 5k.

I’m looking hard at the Bryston BCD-3, and the Technics SL-G700. Having owned Bryston products now for almost 24 years, I’m extremely impressed by their build quality and performance. However, the BCD-3 is not an SACD player. I’ve read a few solid reviews of the Technics, but I’m suspicious of their long-term reliability. There are no dealers where I live or within 200 miles. I looked at the Marantz line, and their only player with balanced outputs is the SA-10, which I’ve heard is awesome but I’m unwilling, at this point, to pay $7500 (although my mind is not closed on the matter).

Anyone here have either the Bryston or the Technics player? Will I notice a marked improvement with a new player (as compared to my 508.24)? Like most of you, this is my life. After work, I listen 2-3 hours per day, sometimes more on weekends. Thanks in advance for your advices.
jeroboam
If you insist on a SACD player for hybrid discs, why not one of higher level Yamahas for 2-4 grand?
This may seem like Sacrilege but I use a $500 Audiolab 6000 CDT as a straight transport, into a very good DAC.  I have listened to players that are more than 5 times the money and I just can't hear the difference.  The rest of my system is moderately high end, my cables and interconnects are very respectable.  The only drawback is this particular player reads regular CDs.  Won't read the SACD format. Have found many ways to spend the extra money.  
@jdbsi: I'll most likely keep the Meridian.

@ghdprentice: you're right!  

@pmm: I don't know anything about Yamaha at all. I've always associated them with mass-market audio products.

I found a pro dealer about 250 miles from me, in San Antonio, who carries both the Bryston BCD-3 and the Technics SL-G700. I'm going to call him and perhaps arrange a day trip to hear both, if possible. 
Jeroboam...there is a used Marantz SA 10 for sale at TMR Audio. It's only 4 years old and can be had for $4200.