I have the Sony S360 and the Arcam 7SE. The BluRay is a joke at paying CDs (really its so bad that i laughted when i heard it play). I know both your machine are a step up but i can beleive that the comparission will be much different.
Pay for the repair on the Alpha 8 or you'll be disapointed. Or buy the blu ray and its musicality will drive you to repair the Alpha anyway
Vance
Samsung PS-50C96
Marantz SR6003
Chord Active & 2x Supershield
2x Copper-Line Alpha
Sony BDP S360
Sky HD
True Colours Industries Coral
Arcam Apha 7 CD
Van den Hul D - 102 III
Quad L11 Fronts, Rears & Surrounds
Carnival SilverScreen
REL Strata