I'm not the most experienced of Meridian owners but would not a 568.2 and DSP6000 speakers sound better than the 861 and DSP5000? I've not heard an 861 although one is on my shopping list if my industry ever gets back to work but I once had a pair of DSP5000s. Willing to bet that the cheaper (much cheaper) processor but significantly better speakers (albeit much bigger) would suit your budget better and sound better.

My 568.2 from Audio Images and DSP6000 from eBay came to a smidgeon over £2000.

568.2mm, HD621, DSP6000s, DSP5000C, MS600, Roon