Hello there, in my dedicated theatre setup I use 861v8 with 818v3 with 8KSE L/R, and 7200HCSE [5K rears].

I have a broad array of listening formats across 2 channel and 5.1. My net opinion to your question is that both processors are super helpful and have advantages.

The ‘biggest’ advantage that I appreciate having enjoyed this setup over the past several years is the flexibility of being able to toggle between both processors on my MSR+ remote, depending on the music format.

I have a Crosby Stills Nash & Young Bluray or DVD Audio [I forget forgive me on road right now] on my Kaleidescape in 5.1 for which I use my 861v8, the disc was produced with the intent to listen in 5.1, it’s just fabulous and I always listen in 5.1 with the 861v8.

Yes, I am that guy that loves DVD Audio and I have a number of discs that I collected over the years, the 861v8 is my “go-to” for these discs, they just sound great. Blu Man group DVD is perhaps my favorite 5.1 ever, wow! Again 861v8.

Alternatively, listening to a broad array of DSD, FLAC and MQA just going 2 channel with the 818v3 is simply superior sounding than listening to those same files / formats on my 861v8.

The 8KSE’s shine with such formats in 2 channel, and I tend to purchase from specific studio’s knowing that I will listen on my 818 v3.

Hope that helps, I also appreciate back in the day Marc K setting this up, at the time it was a bit of a unknown setup but I really have enjoyed this setup. I am potentially looking to upgrade the 8KSE’s to XE, haven’t really looked if 861v8 and/or 818v3 has upgrade packs available, have not really been in the market as of late.

861v8 || 818v3, UHD722, Oppo 105D, DSP8KSE L/R, DSP7200HCSE, DSP5K Rears, DSW, Kaleidescape Cinema One [x2], Roku4K, Apple TV || DSP6K - 2 channel, HD621 || Roon Core / QNAP TVS-872XT || 218 || MacIntosh CS200 || MacIntosh MI128 || DSP3200 L/R