Adding such a thing as analogue pass through for support of SACD would be very foolhardy for current SACD players IMHO.

The 861 is a reference product, Meridian do DIGITAL, Meridian do MLP what possible benefit is there to Meridian or it's reputation by adding analogue passthrough? Especially is you are digital theatre, plus your passing analogue from todays current players, I think not.

If the content owners feel that the only way to protect their IP is to force analogue outputs then I for one will not be buy a SACD player anytime ever.

Is it just me that thinks analogue passthrough on a 861 is about as stupid as you can get (especially for SACD), Meridian may prove me wrong of course and I'll be eating these words(-:

Martin.