1st impressions.

As written in some earlier reviews, I hear a slight edge on CD. Soloist images seem slightly veiled. Soundstage is a little tight. In my experience, M`s 800 is superior on CDs as you might expect. I`m surprised, however, having earlier A/Bd kswanson`s SFogg modded Oppo 980 with the 800; that Oppo was a near equal contender.

My Oppo plays DVD Audio and SACD (so far) without the problems noted by others. SACD and Bluray sound pretty spectacular (but without anything to compare with) and that`s one way I`ll be using it. It will also get playing time in casual/background listening; Oppo`s quick response to commands (like open/close/play!) is way better than Meridian`s.

Still need to let it settle in, get used to it and maybe adjust my choice of MRC filters.

More later if anything new turns up, and I really hope to read about others` experience as there must be many of these out in the Universe by now. Jimk

Roon, Technics SL10 turntable, Meridian 218, Jolida tube DAC, Nuforce STA 200 Amp and passive Swallow Acoustics ALS2 speakers