Originally Posted by Cliff.
Originally Posted by Paul H
The Trinnov is a very sophisticated piece of kit and it is primarily a film processor. If you are not into the whole dolby atmos setup and prefer to stick with the 5.1/7.1 music surround setup, then a Meridian 861 can't really be beaten in my opinion. It is wonderfully transparent, very musicality and is easy to use for both film and music.
I've lived with the 861 for several years and the Trinnov Altitude 32 for about a month now. I would consider it a retrograde step to go back to the 861 now. The Trinnov is so precice and articulate in its delivery of both film amd music and the room correction is so effective. Also, you have so much control over the target curve for your listening room.
I attended Cedia and heard a few Trinnov setups including JBLs $250K setup and I agree it does do an incredible job with home theater.

I listened to the M setup with the new 271. They had it partnered with a Denon receiver along with DSP520 fronts and DSP320 surrounds in an Atmosphere setup (it was unfortunate that they didn't use a Trinnov). I have to say I was underwhelmed. I felt my 861 setup was far superior (of course in fairness the front speakers were not the same and the "room" was not ideal). I just felt like for me to change processors and keep the quality of the 861 I would need to change to the Trinnov but without hearing a Trinnov/M DSP setup first I would be hesitant to switch as obviously it is a big cost.

I did get to speak to the M America VP - Ryan Donaher (very nice gentleman) and asked him about the future of the 861. He told me M has been working on the custom install market and have not forgotten about the 861. He seemed to indicate that it is not a dead product. I also asked why M couldn't have at least added an MQA card to the 861 and as we all suspected he stated there wasn't enough DSP power to do it.

I got the feeling it may take a bit of time before we see an updated 861 or replacement product but I was encouraged that it hopefully will happen.

Joe

My gear: Trinnov CI, 271, 8000.1(SEs), 7200.1 HC (SE), 320s, 3200s, Seaton F18 subs, MS200 (2nd zone), 218, 210.
Other: JVC RS-4100 projector, Lumagen Pro Radiance, Panamorph DCR anamorphic lens, Stewart G4 130 screen, Kaleidescape Strato K, Rvolution 4K player and Zapitti NAS, Oppo BDP-203,Roon Nucleus