When you hook a 2 channel PCM 24/96 source up and put the 861 in Direct mode how much “Processor work” is the 861 doing?

Since MQA transmits as PCM 24/96 (unfolded) and strictly 2 channel how much “processor work” is left?

I think an internal “271” could also have the same advantages as an ID41 has with clocking/jitter minimization.

Atmos/DTS:x could be a card too but the whole system doesn’t have enough channels to fully support it.

Oh and to handle full analog MQA in an 861 would just need “SE” DAC cards (in addition to the 271 internal decoder [or external 271 for that matter]).

All the 861 has to do right is internally pass 2 channel 24/96 over its bus which we know it can.

- Fiddler (IMHO)

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