I've owned 501 and 502, but not the G-Series equivalents.

Oddly enough, I was thinking just earlier that if I put together an analogue system, separate to my DSP-based one, the 502 would be my go-to preamp. It's a very fine sounding unit indeed, fully balanced and has the nice little touches Meridian get right like no pots in the volume control chain, variable input sensitivity, source matching, labelling, etc., etc.

I don't know if the G02 sounds the same, I never bothered finding out as I greatly prefer the 500 series styling to the G series, but that's only my personal taste.

502 sounds much better than 501 to my ears. Well worth seeking out and the extra ££.

HC: 861v4/ID40/LPS, DSP5000, DSP5000VC, DSP3100, SW1600, HD621, Oppo BDP-105, Sony VPL-HW55ES
2-Channel: Oppo BDP-105, TEAC VRDS-7/Trichord Clock 3/PSU, 551, Quad 303, Harbeth Compact 7ES-3, Kimber cables, Russ Andrews mains and supports.
Previous Meridian: 5000C, 5200SL, 7200.2, 6000, 562V.2, 568.2mm, 800v4, 808.2i, 818v2/v3, 861v8, 502