"how many "audiophiles" would set up a system with more than 7.1 channels? "

Audiophiles don't use more than 2 channels. The extra channels are just a by-product of HT, and we sort of just use the multi-channel modes for music since it is there.

Hello lwang
I guess I should have said just who would set up a system with more than 7.1 or 8.1 channels. So as Al mentions in his reply, the flexibility that the 861 has , is to me, irrelevant if the sound is to many regarded as the same! I'm curious to see how much it will cost the 568 owners to upgrade to the new DSP and input which will allow DVD-A digital input(not interested) and at the same time allow for 8 channel 96khz processing or 8 channel upsampling as well as DPLII DSP for AC3-2.0 source. I bet the charge is between $1500 and $2000 retail for that upgrade.