I do not have an 218 but do have an 808v6 (which has SL inputs) and they cannot be used as inputs from the 861v8 SL outputs.. The connections that allow for use of multichannel via the 861 and 2 channel via the 808 or 818 (for MQA) that I am aware of are cumbersome.. I do not know anyone who has a 218 so not sure of how that would work but believe it might be similar to the 818 and 806 solutions.

One solution posted in this forum has a phantom source that seems to work but requires 2 remotes.. There is another that requires an A/B switch on the RJ45 cable.. Believe both require having 2 control units..

My solution is to keep the 861 5 channel set up as is.. I then have a separate set up with 808v6 going into an AC12 and then into my 8000SE (retype speakers so CD and Sooloos via the 808v6 use digital input 2).. This allows for 2 channel full MQA (I think but the literature seems to suggest this only takes place via SpeakerLink) and 2 channel CD playback from the 808v6..

It however is hardly perfect.. The 808 and 861 both are set as controllers and this occasionally causes volume synching issues.. It also does not allow me to simply see how the 808v6 would sound as a multi-channel source going through the 861..

I have enjoyed many wonderful years with my Meridian gear and continue to enjoy it.. The current solution - or lack thereof - to integrate 2 channel MQA sources (808v6, 818v3, and possibly now the 218) with a multi channel Meridian processor is disappointing.. I hope simpler answers will be discovered/provided.


Main System: 861v8, 808v6, 8000SE (l, r), 7200SE (c, rr, rl)
Living Room: 861v8, 7200SE (l, r), 5200SE (c, rr, lr)
Control:15 (2), MC200
Kitchen: G91A