OMG this appears to be true the G68 new with current firmware v. 1.44 is only 5.1 discrete. Two months ago I began a major upgrade on my system. Among other things I wanted the full 7.1 experience. I decided to acquire a Classe SSP 800. A Meridian dealer friend (possibly soon to be ex-friend) pushed for a Meridian sale. He clearly knew I wanted 7.1 discrete. He sold me side speakers and installed them. I purchase the required extra 2 channel amp on Audiogon. I bought several 7.1 channel blu-rays in anticipation. I saw the pictures of the rear of the unit. Output 8x analogue balanced XLR: Main L, Main R, Side L, Side R, Rear L, Rear R, Centre, Sub. On the HD621 I see HDMI and 8 digital outs. And now for the rub. I look at the inputs on the G68 an see a sea of inputs and I don't look any closer. In the literature I read about the 8 channels of output. Wow, I have a $10500 knot in my stomach as I prepare to call my dealer.


My Kit: Trinnov Altitude 32,Oppo BDP 203, Sony 600es, Martin Logan Neoliths Mains with VTL Siegfried II's, ML CLX's, ML Renaissance, 5 ML Theaters,13 ML Vanquish, 6 ML Edges, 6 ML Axis' 8 Velodyne DD-18+'s, Pass Labs 600.8,Pass Labs 160.8, Pass labs 160.5, Bryston 14B-SST, 6B-SST,6 Bryston 9BSST^2's, 14' Stewart Screen, Berkely Alpha DAC RS