1) The "problem" going through the 861, besides rumors that doing so degrade/destroy? the MQA signal, is, that the 861 still decrease the volume.
With presets "Direct" and "Music" -3dB, with "Trifield" -6dB and only in "mono" "party mode" there is no volume decrease.
I thought that is done/solved from M a while ago after George puplished his "3dB trick".
The volume attenuation is not visible anymore on the configfile,
it shows "0 dB".
2) It would be a great advantage when M publish the new config Software where a 218 is added so we can "play" what is possible or not.
That would cancel a lot of unnecessary discussion that even can (have) made bad mood about M and his strategy/future.
Why not make a poll on such items so M can/will see what the "basic customer" needs?
800v3/218/271/8k.2/5k5s

/5kC/DSP3200/Reviver/
TT-ELP/Graham Slee Revelation/Trinnov Altitude 32/OPPO 205
__Ayon/HB/Shunyata/Miltzow -- power cables,
__Ayon/Jungson/Miltzow --analog, Miltzow-- digital,
__Vortex/WMA ,