OK, not being an Apple user, can someone tell me how to spec & config a served system for an 861/DSP8000 set-up with an iPad?
In addition to the new iPad being capable of running the Sonos App; the iPeng App for Squeezbox and the new Sooloos App, I personally think that the following combination will be appealing for the various reasons mentioned
** Mac Mini (perhaps upgraded with an SSD)
** Mac Mini can be configured to Rip and Playback
24/96 High Res material, which the Apple TV cannot
** Optical Out to 861v6 to avail of Apodizing, which will lead to performance on a par from Sooloos (at least till Meridian make more internal changes to the Sooloos Source Products)
** Alternatively, output over HDMI using this
Kanex Optical & Mini Display Port to HDMI cable. This can be input into an HD621 to avail of Apodizing in the HD621
** And lastly the new iPad running the new version of the "Remote" App from Apple, which allows you to remotely control the Mac Mini from your seat. With a picture painting a thousand words, I believe the photos below give an idea for how graphical the User Interface will be compared to the current Sooloos, iPeng and Sonos Apps. The result will be much closer to what appeals to many here about the Sooloos Control:10 interface (and at a far lower purchase cost, plus other advantages that I won't go into now)
SUMMARY (IMHO): Up to 24/96 Playback into a Meridian Apodizing Processor all while using a MUCH More Grpahical Interface than the current alternatives, adds up to an appealing package.
AND Given the current Sooloos Architecture, I'm not sure that the Apple based Solution sounds any better or worse than a Sooloos into the same Apodizing device