It's an excellent processor, very close to the 861. Some things are not as good, others are better than the 861.

I think your choice really depends on what you want to do with it and what configurations we're talking about. Are you going to use the Premium, Superior II or Xtreme DACs? Do you need a Sixshooter for analogue multichannel? It has no room correction which might be an issue for some, not for others. So the question is, do you need MRC? Are you still using other MHR sources? Those can't be used with the Casablanca III.

Some like Trifield, back when Trifield was something new for me, I really enjoyed it. But over the years I have to say, the better speakers I got, the less I was using Trifield. You can do alot with Trifield if your speakers don't have a very wide soundstage and if the imaging isn't that good. That's when Trifield really shines. If you're really into 2-channel music, you may even want to consider adding a dedicated 2-channel pre-amp (such as the Audio Research Ref III) to your chain, to get the best out of your system.

But back to the Theta, I think if you don't need anything Meridian specific, such as MRC or MHR, then you're not gonna miss anything in comparison to the 861. It's an excellent processor and with the upcoming HDMI upgrade, it's on the very top of the to-buy list.

We all know now that Meridian has something in the pipeline for HDMI. If they wouldn't have had this box at Cedia, I probably would have bought the Theta myself.


- Stephan