Yes, that's exactly what I was saying in the other thread - that it's my understanding that the 861v8 in direct with Sooloos should sound the same as an 818v2 using the same, so it would be more cost effective for the o/p to upgrade his 861v6 than buy an 818.

I wasn't suggesting that the 818 is a joke at anyone's expense, I own one! I just think that there might be room for, possibly Trifield, and definitely MRC in a '2-channel' environment, that's all. The 861 contains a *lot* of other features above and beyond those, mainly to do with true multichannel movie soundtracks, etc., which obviously goes towards much of the extra cost.

HC: 861v4/ID40/LPS, DSP5000, DSP5000VC, DSP3100, SW1600, HD621, Oppo BDP-105, Sony VPL-HW55ES
2-Channel: Oppo BDP-105, TEAC VRDS-7/Trichord Clock 3/PSU, 551, Quad 303, Harbeth Compact 7ES-3, Kimber cables, Russ Andrews mains and supports.
Previous Meridian: 5000C, 5200SL, 7200.2, 6000, 562V.2, 568.2mm, 800v4, 808.2i, 818v2/v3, 861v8, 502