If your main player is the 596 than go for the Meridian. The DAC's in the 861 and G68 are the same if not better.
I had a G68 which was the best sounding digital pre-amp for music I have ever owned. Movies were also the best with the G68.
D_Edwards can answer this better than me but I believe the G68 sounds very close to the 861 but will save you a ton of money.
I recently sold my G68 but not to upgrade but rather downgrade. There is just not enough time in the day to fully enjoy it and felt it was going to waste as a glorified football watching sound system.
If I had more time to spend watching movies and listening to music I would have kept the G68 without question.
Hope this helps.
Mike
I had a G68 which was the best sounding digital pre-amp for music I have ever owned. Movies were also the best with the G68.
D_Edwards can answer this better than me but I believe the G68 sounds very close to the 861 but will save you a ton of money.
I recently sold my G68 but not to upgrade but rather downgrade. There is just not enough time in the day to fully enjoy it and felt it was going to waste as a glorified football watching sound system.
If I had more time to spend watching movies and listening to music I would have kept the G68 without question.
Hope this helps.
Mike