Reviving an old post to add my 2 cents for those who are pondering this question.

Just replaced my Transporter & 861v4 (latest apodizing firmware) with Linn Akurate DS (current model as of Apr 2012) & Byrston SP3.

I'll miss Trifield but for my money the clear winner is the Akurate going through the SP3 in analogue bypass. When the feet are tapping the music is *right*. About the only parameter where the 861v4 won in my setup was the depth of the sound stage when employing Trifield.

My comparisons were made in my own home with the only difference being the source and processor. Of course I could have tried routing the Linn through the 861v4 but that would have defeated Linn's special sauce and applied Meridian's.

So after more then a decade my listening room will no longer contain any Meridian equipment.