Interesting conversation - this is something I have wondered about myself, having migrated to Meridian some twenty years ago (and, overall, extremely happy with the move).

I have always felt they were at the top their game, but some recent comments from a couple of Hi-Fi dealers suggests that there are now equal or better alternatives in this price range.

I would have probably ignored them, but the recent lack of information on the direction of the 861 and the shift in focus to the custom install market has made me wonder whether their heart is still in this game in the same way is was when Bob was running the show.

Having invested heavily both emotionally and financially into their products, I hope they will stick to bringing out class-leasing music systems that we can upgrade to, but if I were ever to think about moving to the DSP8000's, then the cost jump is big enough to reopen the question!

Prolific music listener / Hi-Fi addict!