«  ... A "must have" ... »

The RME quality, good value.
Simply used with a preamp / comp Joe Meek 6Q now for a home studio use for now, recording model of good qualities.
Config: firewire Macbook pro intel core 2 duo, 4GB DDR3 memory. listen Fostex MKII.

UTILIZATION

• The drivers are stable?
Very, nothing to say.
• What software do you use most often?
Cubase 5 with plugs
• Latency: almost zero.

GETTING STARTED

• The installation is done it without problems?
A little complicated at first when a novice, but he just put his nose in it.
• The general configuration is easy?
instead.
• Have you experienced any incompatibilities?
Not with my config (or my old config: under Windows 7.
• The manual is clear and sufficient?
Yes very, just put his nose in it ^ ^

OVERALL OPINION

• How long have you use it?
4 years and intensively in the last two years.
• How would you rate the quality / price?
Excellent.
• With experience, you do again this choice? ...
For RME 800 I do not know regarding my simple desire to home studio: I've tried the RME babyface is still more convenient to render almost identical.
The 800 is a great sound card, a must have.