Amp + Atmos receiver, need advice for 7.1.4

[Mt72]

Hey guys!

I'm redoing my dedicated home theater room which is beginning to show it's age. My 5 channel amp has developed problems and I will either try to get it repaired, or get a new 3 channel fo the fronts/center. This would free up the AVR's amp to concentrate on the surround channels and get the most of my Gallo Reference 3.1 mains and center which love power.

I would like to upgrade my receiver to get Dolby Atmos going. I currently have a 7.1 setup, and hope to add a few in-ceiling and front height speakers to the mix. I have seen a lot of receivers that do 7.2.2 but I would like 7.1.4 as I currently have no plans for an additional sub and would like 2 pairs of height speakers. Attached is a very rough layout of my room. Black speakers in front are sub, L, R, C. The small (hard to see) gray speakers are surround and back surround.

I don't need to spend extra on the receiver for power as that will be mainly handled by the external amp. However, to get the number of channels I want processed, it seems to be pushing me into the upper range regardless.

I believe the Denon x4500H would work going off of their user manual. Any other thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks!!

 

[Mt72]

Just noticed that there are several receivers that "process" more channels but require external amplification. So, a 7.2.2 could be 7.2.4 on the same receiver if you use the external amp. This opens up a lot more receivers to the mix.

I should be able to find something around $1k that does everything I need/want.

 

[panteragstk]

I have an x4300h (same as the newer x4500h for the most part) and it's great. I use an external 2ch amp for the second pair of Atmos channels and haven't had a single issue.

 

[PENG]

Just noticed that there are several receivers that "process" more channels but require external amplification. So, a 7.2.2 could be 7.2.4 on the same receiver if you use the external amp. This opens up a lot more receivers to the mix.

I should be able to find something around $1k that does everything I need/want.

I don't see too many choices at around $1K. Assuming US dollars, the choices appear to be mostly the 2017 D&M models, such as:

$949 for the Marantz SR6012
$899 for the Denon AVR-X4400H

and the Onkyo
$950.06 for the TX-RZ830 (2018 model?)

I think the sweet spot is the AVR-X4400H, it is technically equivalent to the SR7012 but without the 7.1 analog inputs and the HDAM modules. The SR6012 sort of fit between the AVR-X3400H and AVR-X4400H, in that it can process 7.1.4, otherwise the audio specs is identical to that of the X3400H. $949 is a good price if you need the 7.1 analog inputs and believe in the HDAM modules (I don't..).

Or you can up your budget for a Yamaha that supposedly has certified HDMI and better reliability record.

$1349 for the RX-A3070

 

[Mt72]

Thanks! I believe there was a Marantz 7011 or something like that which would work. I will look into the Yamaha.

The X4400H is a great deal and should be perfect, I suppose my choices in this price range aren't going to be overwhelming.