It's very interesting to read some of the preferences, and the Audio twilight involved here, The Smart link and it's interface are for locking and securing of the DVD-A streams and implement the MHR data from any of the now current Meridian units. The pure reasons for this is there is still a debate out on how to interface DVD-A as copy protection is still an issue, hence no SPDIF DVD-A systems. The other way the bat can swings is the Firewire options that have been talked about again and again. In regards to how this thread started the 588 and 596 are both amazing machines, they both have very similar output modules. In regards to running into the processors, the Digital Input Receiving systems the Meridian's use make it so that the data is smooth and correct as the perfect Input receiver would sound pretty much the same regardless of the transport driving it, It is then taken a step further using the FIFO Ram based de-jittering system to smooth out the differences. It is a long debate and I would think it's more worth while listening to Music, after all thats what Hi-Fi is for. Also seen lots of talk about the G-Series, It's funtion is to replace the aged 500 series, and it also looks pretty funky too, As you will notice on the arrival the model numbers are mostly the same but with the 5 replaced by the G! There are some changes but no reason not too buy a 500 series over in my humble opinion. To be honest I think that 500 looks allot nicer and cleaner than the G. But there are some added features as I'm sure you will all find out.