In my opinion, you should not rule out the 861v8 when using high end Meridian speakers. Nor the streaming part with an ID41 fitted. Sound quality wise they are probably still the best, if you’re not going any more than 7.1 channels and they’re all integrated to work perfectly with Meridian speakers. And of course are digital all the way through the chain.

At least hear one, at some point, even if you start things off with your current processor…