Stereophile April 2009 features the review on the front cover - “Meridian Re-Invents CD Playback”. The review concludes with John Atkinson writing that "I can say that the Meridian 808i.2 is the finest-sounding CD player I have yet heard".

He adds that he did not think the apodizing filter alone was responsible for such good sound - it's "sonic excellence".

Also he compared the 808i.2 playing standard CD with genuine high resolution recordings played on an Ayre. He only just preferred the high resolution version of the music.

Maybe that was why in the same Stereophile for Recommended Products (SACD, DVD-A, CD Players & Transports) the Ayre C-5xe (and others) is in the A+ section and the 808.2/808i.2 with others - including The Sooloos Music Server - in the A section. It goes down to a D section.

Well done M! You may frustrate us and make us impatient but we will be rewarded.