Ok, with the caveat that I've only brewed a single coffee with the Coava 008 disc and only done one paper comparison against it, I'll put my opinion out there...
1) I think the Coava disc is easier to use, no risk of paper tear on a pre-rinsed paper filter.
2) I like the precision of the Coava disc, just drop it in and it's perfectly aligned.
3) I like the 'feel' of it - precision, digital.
4) I like the idea of it's 'inert interaction', a slick surface with evenly spaced holes and repeated sizing the disc doesn't get in the way of the process it's just part of the process.
5) The Coava disc allows better release of oils and such and this presents itself in the coffee, I feel like I'm getting a full representation of the bean as compared to the paper.
Random points off the top of my head. Now for the more important opinion, how did it taste? In a word - better.
Other words that came to mind - rounder, fuller, more complete, better body, unfragmented, in-tune, more flavorful, synchronous, full stage presence, etc.
If someone offered me the Coava AP disc mug and the AP paper filter mug side by side I would have drank the Coava mug and left the paper filter mug.
But like I said, this was only a 1 to 1 comparison and there are many reasons this result could have turned out like it did. For now the 008 has me very interested in the possibilities and I'm going to play with it a bunch more while waiting for my CEME pressurestat to show up.
