As discussed elsewhere, the availability of 3rd party digital output mods to other manufacturer processors and receivers means that the "locked in" problem (i.e. DSP speakers) may not be as great an issue as it once was. The only catch is that you need an all Meridian DSP speaker layout (inc. sub if required) for volume sync via comms.
As you said above Nick, a couple of years ago this kind of thought would have been completely alien on this forum, but now it's a considered a viable option if Meridian doesn't deliver the goods.