If you're only using Sooloos for it's database/interface abilities and wish to use a 3rd party DAC to 'flavour' the sound differently to a Meridian endpoint, I would probably not bother with an MS, or 800 series component- the output of the MC200 itself is very low jitter and should provide any 3rd party DAC worth it's salt with a very good starting point all on it's own. I do suggest if you're even in the ballpark price range of something like an 818, you give one a listen, though, otherwise you'll never know what you missed wink

Nick is correct that an 861v4 + LPSU + ID40 is very nice, at half the price of a new 818. However, the 818 is certainly better (I just side by side demoed them) and a 2nd hand 818 might only be about �1500 or so more than the v4, depending on what cards are fitted, so might be worth watching out for...

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