Well time moves on...there are no firm paths for Meridian users/buyers/customers to gravat towards in using Meridian equipment for the purpose intended. While waiting for Meridian to land somewhere I have moved forward and purchased a dedicate stereo preamp. ....sounds very nice....a magnitude of improvedment over th 861v4 as an analog device...triggering/controlling appears to be a paid....but sonically the Ayre KX-R...cold out of the box easily trumps the 861 v4....at lease in the analog side....now I have to learn how to make these things work nicely together...

John