I am also waiting, ever so patiently, for any news of a new version of the 861 or perhaps a successor. While I would prefer to upgrade my 861v6, I would consider a trade-in if the next step cannot be obtained via upgrade. We also need an upgraded/new HD621 for both video (4K, HDMI 2.0 at a minimum, DHCP 2.2) capabilities and audio "processing".

Even if M could rewrite the software for the 861 to accommodate Atmos and other similar immersive formats, there is still the problem of how to get that to the 861. These new formats are bitstream only. No devices that I am aware of decode Atmos and the like to PCM. Not even all current sources (Kaleidescape, for example) decode to PCM. So perhaps the next HD621 will need to accept bitstream in order to feed the 861. If anyone can figure out how to make it work, M can!

As stated above, M are usually not the first out of the gate when new codecs/processes are developed (other than those they have developed themselves), but we do expect them to be "the best".

Here's hoping for some news early in 2017. Maybe IFA in Berlin?

Wayne confused

System 1: 861v6+ID40, UHD722, DSP640x2, DSP520C, DSP320x2, DSWx2, Sony XBR-100Z9D, Oppo UDP-203, Kaleidescape, AppleTV 4K
System 2: 808.3 upgraded to 808v6, MC200, HD621, DSP8000.2 with SE Upgrade
System 3: F80
Currently unused: DSP3200x4, DSP33x2, DSP33C, D1500, DSP420x2, G68ADV, G98DH, HD421