By analogy, Meridian is the audio counterpart to Mercedes Benz, BMW or Lexus. Those car cos offer a range of models, including low-end models like the 3 series, but to truly enjoy the quality and performance those car lines represent, one has to purchase a much higher priced model. Same with Meridian. It offered the 561 and the 565, and now the 568, as it entry level model. But the 8 series is really what Meridian is about, just like the 540i is what BMW is about. If you buy low end Meridian, then all you can expect down the road is whatever leftovers flow down from 800 upgrades. Meridian does not come out and say that, which it should, but thats the way it acts, and for us who want a taste of Meridian but who cannot pony up the jack for an 861, we cannot expect anymore.