2 Questions about Audio Aero Capitole

"is this much better player than Lector 7?"
Yes, ims,but it's the only one I have heard that is better than Lector 7T that I have owned for 4 years (I'm from Italy).
I have got my tubes replaced by the Italian importer Rany hi fi at no cost in one hour, excellent service.

You should check with the Audio Aero distributor, Globe Audio Marketing. Google says that is at: www.globeaudiomkt.com
I don't think (2003) P5 chips work in the same players that used the P4 chips (2002 players), and I remember reading here that the chips don't make any difference in sound. They are only software revisions for display options, remote control, etc.
The tubes are soldered to the board because they are so small, they are only around $9-$12 US, and they do last at least two to three years.

I echo Golden Ears in that it probably takes an updated circuit board to go from the P4 to the P5 chip. My Capitole had one of the earliest P4 chips and it still had a few 'ghosts' in it that on occasion forced me to power the whole system down so that it could start accepting my commands again. When I sent it to the shop we all worked together and came to an agreement to upgrade my circuit board and I got the P5.6 chip which works really well and now it reads those very few CDs that the older version could not.

It only very soon thereafter that Darryl at Digital Systems was able to demonstrate that an older Capitole could also be upgraded to the analog passthru.

So, if you are looking to buy one with a P4 chip you might just be okay; and you can look forward to an upgrade sometime in the future.