Ayre CX-7 vs. Meridian G08 ?


Anyone had the chance to compare these two units? I'm in the market for a new one-box CD player and am leaning towards the Ayre CX-7 unit. Thanks in advance for any input you may have on these two units.
Ag insider logo xs@2xcjlundgren
How does the GO8 compare to state of the art dacs and transports of a few years back, such as Theta's Gen Va ?
I have the G07 and it is awesome.
Have owned 508.24 and a slew of other high end digital including Cary, Audio Aero, Audiomeca and dCS.
The G07 is significantly better than the 508 to my ears. It retains the evenness, truth of timbre, natural and neutral quality of the 508, but adds more detail, more air, more depth. Highly recommended. Never did like the 588, but Meridian got the G series right.

No functionality issues to date. Nice display, nice remote.
Zosima --

Which Audio Aero player did you own? I ave the Capitole 24/192 and am curious how it compares to either the G07 or G08.
Denf, I have just replaced my 588 with a new Capitole after a series of auditions which included the G08. Based on Sue Kraft's review of the G series in TAS I expected the G08 to be substantially better than my 588. It wasn't. It was, like my 588, an outstanding cdp that captured the essence of the music I played, with very good staging, and very good low frequency reproduction. That said, after hearing the AA in my system I bought it. The soundstage is wider, but the real improvement is how well the stage is defined. Rounder, fuller if you like. The bass is, surprisingly, even more articulate than my 588. Prior to this upgrade I maintained that I wouldn't replace my 588 unless another product compelled me to purchase it. Yes, it is more than twice the srp of the G08 but, for me, the difference was worth it.
Denf, yes I think you should keep the capitole. It's an excellent player as are the Meridians. Different flavor, different prices.