OK, new firmware installed in the 861v4 thanks to my co-operative dealer. It was emailed to me with instructions which ended up a no brainer (which is helpful for those of us deficient in that department).

Really all the fuss before was a storm in a teacup, something which M could have avoided with a little better PR - let us hope they have learned.

Now I listen to most of the classical music Via Sooloos on headphones but of course had to see how the music sounded via the upgraded 861v4 into amps & speakers. My previous crit of M has been that although super at producing surround from 2 CH, the 861v4 did hash up the main L/R in the process. So I've had an elaborate means of overcoming that by feeding the L/R direct to amps & speakers and using feedback to the 861 for synthesised surround.

First impressions are positive and it does look as if the L/R is no longer hashed up in the process of synthesising surround. Using "MUSIC" mode, so far I cannot detect any loss of fidelity feeding ALL the signal via the 861 (remember this is V4) than diverting the L/R via balanced analog direct to amps & speakers. Well done M.

But the other change which really has surprised me is the change in the centre channel. I read the complaints re. Trifield with interest but not great interest as I rarely invoke it BUT the change feeding the TV audio (via HD621) into the 861v4 is dramatic. The volume setting is 10 dB less!!! It had bothered me in the past that the "music" associated with TV programming (documentaries as much as movies) dominated to the extent that the speech was often difficult to follow. No longer - the balance is just right.

So, I'm a happy camper and thank M for not forgetting those of us with v4 861s. I might even now listen to more music via the speakers. But for audio via TV the improvement is quite astonishing and VERY positive.

John