Kenl,
Good comments. For me, and that's really what you need to keep in mind because my wants in the way of sound are going to be different than others, is not so much an issue with the G3 being sterile but an issue with solid state versus tubes. The few tubed components I have owned I have made a better connection with the music than with solid state even though solid state really is superior in a number of ways (bass response and focus are two that come to mind).
As I mentioned my goal in sound quality was the fast, open and tight sound and I will still 100% back up the statement that the G3 is the best solid state component I have had in my system (and that includes a pretty long list of separates as well). In fact, it came closest to having the palpable images that I refer to and now find so important in the sound. It's just tubes do that better for me in the price range of the components I can afford. To be perfectly honest if I found a component sterile it would be the Rowland I mentioned but I don't mean to slam it as a product because it too had some nice qualities.
Something else to keep in mind with my comments is the price range of products I'm talking about and the fact that I have pretty efficient and revealing speakers with limited bass response.
I have no familiarity with the Naim products but back to your original comparison there are many on this site that have had really positive comments about the Ayre AX-7e also. Good luck with whatever you choose.
