My next surround processor is from miniDSP!

Ahhh, so, yes, it does seem to have 1 pair each of RCA and XLR inputs.  

I note though that the sample rate seems limited to 48 kHz, like so many of their products.  

@erik_squires 

HDMI 2.1 EARC/ARC compliant
HDMI 2.1 Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)

The rear panel is still printed 4K. I’d value it $1200. Too bad that's the cost of the dirac licenses. If it's 480i with dirac, it's still not worth $1200 because nobody would buy it for 480i.

Sorry Bartsw, not sure what you are talking about.  

I'm sure the miniDSP surround processor is not 480i.  That's like 20 years ago. :) 

Just basically saying competitors have moved on to 8K. Packaging the dirac bundle with 4K won't help much when you can find a number of used Marantz AV10 or 30 with 8K + dirac live + $600 dblc&ART around the same price point or less.

Ahhh, I see your point.  Well, I wont’ have an 8K TV for a while, if ever and honestly I prefer to use my TV for switching anyway.  

I’d rather have a processor which does the audio very well and limited video than the other way around. 

Keeping up with the changes in HDMI has really done in some companies.  Meridian and Theta seem to both have really struggled with the technical and licensing requirements.    In other cases, a company has stepped up, but the HDMI changes/upgrades were so time / money consuming that audio took a back seat.