Hi Brian
1) Is the current core app on iPad really good?
Yes lates update works perfect. Deleting albums has to be done with Control Mac/PC.
2) How is it best run (I'm looking to get a pair of DSP5200's in the future, but in the mean time, how good is it being used as SPDIF, fixed RCA, and Variable RCA? Is variable ok?).
Depends on your system, right that up in your signature - makes it easier for us to advise.
SPDIF: MC200 will upsample and apodise all 44.1 Khz and 48Khz files to 88.2Khz and 96Khz, so the input source needs to support at least up to 96khz. if no use the RCA out.
3) Is it easy to backup to my computer on a hard drive?
Yes just use control MAC/PC.
4) Does the TIDAL upgrade work like Rhapsody? In other words, does it allow for albums to become part of the playlist with a separate icon? If so, that would make it a game changer having all that music available as part of you music at CD quality.
Yes, just use the Tidal voucher that you get from Meridian after registering your MC200. to get 3 month free use you need to use the voucher to register!Recommend installing the Tidal app on your iPad -In Sooloos iPad app - Go to Tidal and you need to check to albums/songs that you like by pressing the icon to the left of the album/song and you will be asked if you want import or...
PerS