Do not have 218 but have 808v6 and as previously posted have found a few solutions that I believe would also work with the 218 but none are perfect.. Currently I have retyped my 8000SE front speakers as COAX with front right master.. Then go SL master out of 808 into 8000SE right master.. SL out of 8000SE master to left 8000SE slave.. I like to listen to the CD and ID41 from the 808 so on the speaker set up those are identified as digital input 1 (SLS and CD)...

Now to the 861.. Front right/left SL master goes to an AC 12.. AC 12 Dig out goes to 8000SE front right dig in.. 8000SE front right dig out connects to 8000SE left dig in.. AC 12 master comms connects to 8000SE front right comms in via BNC.. AC 12 slave comms goes to 8000SE comms out.. All other sources TV, Bluray, SACD are set as digital input 2 on the 8000 front speakers..

Center channel and rear right and rear left are typed as RJ 45 slave and connect via SL to 861..

This allows for full 2 channel MQA and also for multichannel on all sources coming from 861..

There are a few glitches.. Volume syncs perfectly between all the speakers but does not match what is shown on the iPad, iPhone, Control Mac apps - believe it is because I have 808 and 861 both set as controller and startup volume may not be the same.. Also switching between the 808 ID 41 to the 861 ID 41 requires powering down the system and then re powering..

Wish there were a simpler solution and hopefully one will be provided..

If time allows this weekend I am going to try analog out of the 808 into the 861 so I can evaluate how full MQA analog out will sound coming out of the 861 for Trifield, room correction, bass management etc... Know it will no longer be an MQA signal leaving the 861 but it should be one going in.. Will report back on SQ..

Finally, I have found MQA sound to be quite dependant on the recording.. I almost always seem to hear more "content" from the fully unfolded MQA but have found several albums where the bass seems to be elevated.. As mentioned before I much prefer rebook for GD American Beauty and Warren Zevon Excitable Boy over MQA..

Lastly, it seems a shame that 2 channel MQA can not be routed through the 861 for room correction, much more significant bass management, etc.. Or a shame that the 808 does not have room correction and more advanced bass management...




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