What did you end up with, Mitch? I recently purchased a 303/300 and am enjoying it's warm, natural sound, imaging, and frequency extension. I'm only familiar with the G08 from 15 and 20 minute in-store demos, which don't really mean anything, but at least I wasn't disappionted.
To obtain the Cary, I gave up my Meridian 508.24, which I'd owned for many, many years and can say was one of the very best cd players I've ever heard (for its ability to communicate the essence of music in an organic way). The Cary is surely quieter and cleaner, and perhaps a little better at this, a little better at that, but the 508.24 could still coexist with it. Easily. I am happy with the Cary, but because of that great, multi-year experience with the 508.24, I'm still intrigued to hear the G08 over a period of days or wks in my home system.
To obtain the Cary, I gave up my Meridian 508.24, which I'd owned for many, many years and can say was one of the very best cd players I've ever heard (for its ability to communicate the essence of music in an organic way). The Cary is surely quieter and cleaner, and perhaps a little better at this, a little better at that, but the 508.24 could still coexist with it. Easily. I am happy with the Cary, but because of that great, multi-year experience with the 508.24, I'm still intrigued to hear the G08 over a period of days or wks in my home system.