Totally agree, it's not like they're venturing into new code, or design, it's essentially capitalising on existing R&D - far simpler than multichannel and less processing power?

Of course they would have to engineer it into the existing architecture and I have no idea if that's possible or economically practical, but the idea is attractive at least in theory?

The 861 is a perfect example of many cards being 'redundant' except to those who need them, but it doesn't stop M producing a card based option system

The reason I mentioned the 818/808 series is they're also card based and at least should be able to accommodate the card(s)?

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