I don't know the 218, but the 818 has a headphone mode which essentially accomplishes what is being suggested in a slightly more elegant way (although I wish it had variable outputs when the DSPs are muted) anyone know if the 218 offers a similar feature?

HC: 861v4/ID40/LPS, DSP5000, DSP5000VC, DSP3100, SW1600, HD621, Oppo BDP-105, Sony VPL-HW55ES
2-Channel: TEAC VRDS-7/Trichord Clock 3/PSU, Avondale S100, Harbeth Compact 7ES-3
Previous Meridian: 5000C, 5200, 7200.2, 6000, 562V.2, 568.2mm, 800v4, 808.2i, 818v2/v3, 861v8, 551, 502