The important thing with the Meridian is using the digital connections and nothing in analog. I believe the 808.2 has digital input for an external source and a source selector? If so, that is how I would do things. I believe all the amp and dac is done 100% by the speakers. One speaker is the master that the cd digital goes into and the other is the slave, that is connected to the master. The Meridian sound is very wonderful and some of the fastest speakers I have ever heard. I believe their philosophy is fewer components, less distortion and better sound. I had a friend that has the DSP5000's and was fine without a preamp until he wanted to hook up a turntable (analog) and sub. Hope this helps.