And I get up later than you Bill. It`s actually earlier in time but after all the other posting.

A very good discussion. Thanks.

However, I would be cautious of focusing on apodising when considering where and when to apodise. Apodising is one specific step to remove pre-ringing distortion in Meridian`s process to improve audio that includes clocking, upsampling, error correction, and FIFO buffering.

Note that the best place in the future for this processing to occur will be in the 808.3 and 861 v6 where there is no improved apodising. Instead improved will come from the collective improvements that for the 808.3 I am told are:

1. New design and improved oscillators
2. Redesigned digital clocks
3. Reduced RF interference

There is also an
4. Improved analogue input card design

I expect much if not all would actually apply to the 861 v6.

Jitter performance can be expected to be better because of 1 and 2, which in turn improves detail and imaging.

I am also told that there is improved audio performance from:
a) lifting detail and further opening the image
b) better imaging
c) improved timing improving the very accurate timing of low frequency sounds

However, for a-c I am not sure how much of that comes from using the analogue inputs. If you, like me, will not or hardly ever have analogue inputs then it is important to know what to expect from the improvements. Same for the analogue user. I hope to soon have this clarified.

Bill your SPDIF and SpeakerLink results were interesting. Keep in mind when you get the latest Sooloos and 808.3 you will no doubt take advantage of the ID40 and connect by RJ45 Sooloos Control:10 to the RJ45 socket on the ID40. The 808.3 (and 861 v6) as host of the ID40 can then send basic transport commands back to the Sooloos system from an MSR+ via the Comms allowing navigating a selected play queue using the basic transport functions such as Play, Pause, Stop, Track forward and Track back. That one cable connection to the ID40 with Comms will also carry the Sooloos balanced digital audio. I was just told by my dealer that is the preferred connection.