Ayre C-5xe vs Ayre C-7xe??

Just wanted to jump in here...

I used to have a 506.24 and now have a C7xe. The presentations of the 2 players are polar opposites - the 506.24 is a laid back, calm, slow presentation which glosses over detail in order to present a smooth end result. The Ayre is involving and exciting with music that requires it, or calm and intimate with music that requires that emotion.

The Ayre seems to really focus on the timing/rhythm, whereas the Meridian seems to be attempting to sound what some people term as "analog". While there are people that would prefer the less engaging sound of the Meridian, in the end, the C7xe winds up being better in every aspect of what I enjoy in my music listening. And I also consider it to be a more analog-like presentation than the artificially smoothed-out presentation of a lot of CDP's that try to sound "analog".

The difference between the 5 and the 7 is far smaller than that between the Meridian and either Ayre IMHO. I've listened to the 5 for a short period, and not overly critically, but it sounded like the same sonic character as the 7 to me. While the 5 is most surely better than the 7 on redbook, I would expect that the experience of listening to either over the long haul is likely very similar. As such, I'd say that the $3K difference would likely be better spent elsewhere in the system, if it's just for redbook.

Thanks Countingbackwards. I had already committed to buy a 5-MP before I read your reply. I will now get a chance to see what all of the hype is about SACD and DVD-A. Plus I will have a great player for my over three thousand CD's. The Meridian G-08 is definitely laid back, refined, and images well. I'll be curious as to how I like the 5-MP once broken in. The audiophile disease is one sickness that I don't want to be cured from.........................

I have had the G08 in my system for 3 years. My system has grown around it. I have a C5xeMP for audition. I went in to this change thinking the Ayre was going to be better in every way but my early impressions on the differences are.
The Ayre is better in midrange, it makes the Meridian sound digital and kind of pinched as where I never felt that about the G08 until hearing the C5. The highs sound less filtered on the Ayre but the bass has more body with the Meridian. These are my early impressions and there is no clear winner in my setup until I listen a bit more to the Ayre.

The Ayre is better in midrange, it makes the Meridian sound digital and kind of pinched

That would be a deal breaker for me...although you are talking about a much older model than the more comparable and current G08.

the bass has more body with the Meridian

Surprising considering both Ayre units are known for deep and solid bass. Could it be the Meridian had a fuller mid-bass, an area where the Ayre is closer to neutral?
Has anyone listened to the new G08.2? It seems Meridian is offering a new filter that has similar qualities to the Ayre MP upgrade. From Meridian's website:
"Meridian’s research team designed an exquisite new filter based on their original research – a filter with ‘apodizing-like’ qualities. It first appeared in the 808.2 and is now included in the G08.2. This filter system removes “ringing” and pre-echoes for superb clarity and imaging, and is so effective that it can even correct errors made in the recording or mastering stage"

Jaymark, I would be interested in why you sold your,

beloved, magnificent Meridian G08 CD player

and what you expect to improve with an Ayre player.

I have owned the CX7e, which sounded pretty good to me and I am interested to hear it with the new MP filter. I wish Charlie and the crew would reconsider and offer it in black, which would go much better with my other components.

After more extensive listening I think the difference in bass was that the Ayre was tighter and had a quicker decay. As you stated, closer to neutral. I found I could play the Ayre louder to get the bass at the same perceived level and the mid range was still natural.