Receiver and amp pick for full 7.2.4 Atmos setup

[agarwalro]

Which AVR would you consider high end? For me that would be the AVR-x7200wa, RX-A3070, MRX-1120 and some Euro models such as Arcam's top models.

AVR-x4300H, X6300H, SR7011 etc would be mid range.

If using launch MSRP alone, I consider the bands, < $1500, $1500-$2500 and $2500+.

Yamaha and Denon hit the AVR price/features sweet spot at any tier.
Marantz slightly less so in mid to low tiers.
Anthem not at all.

The best deal can be had when picking up a previous gen AVR on closeout pricing, like the 4300H currently for $800. This may not apply every generation, like when HDMI 1.3/HDCP 2.2 got introduced. So, I have an AVR that's completely satisfactory in audio processing, but, lags on the video side.

 

[Pogre]

If you really need the additional power of a 200W amp, then the Monolith 5x200 is a simple solution. If you don't need that 1 to 2 dB more output then just add one of those low cost 2x75W amp and you won't know the difference.

More power only makes a difference if the extra power is actually used.

Or get the 7. Best bang for buck and there's no such thing as too many channels!

 

[Pogre]

I just noticed this $100 Monoprice 2Ch amp on Amazon.

- 8 ohms: 100W x 2Ch RMS, 200W Peak
- 4 ohms: 150W x 2Ch RMS, 300W Peak
- 2 ohms: 250W x 2Ch RMS, 500W Peak

Only problem is you need to get the XLR to RCA cable and the $25/pair Speakon-Banana speaker cable.

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-300-Watt-Studio-Audio-Amplifier/dp/B011JNVIYI/ref=sr_1_227?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1506706974&sr=1-227

https://www.amazon.com/MCSPROAUDIO-Gauge-Speaker-Cables-CABLE/dp/B01FSVOO7U/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1506707563&sr=1-3&keywords=speakon+to+banana

https://www.amazon.com/GLS-Audio-Patch-Cable-Cords/dp/B0010XUZRE/ref=sr_1_10?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1506708123&sr=1-10&keywords=GLS+xlr+to+rca+cable

That is pretty good!

 

[lovinthehd]

Perhaps just use a pair of active speakers like JBL 305s....

 

[Epetti]

That would make sense from a customer perspective, not for D&M.

The fully assignable amps are in the receivers a step or two up.

Old thread but new info for anyone interested. I don't know if it came with a firmware update or it's always been there, but with the Denon 4300 and an 11.1 channel setup you can choose either Height 2 or Front to go to pre-amp. So you can just use a three channel amp for LCR and let the receiver do all of your surrounds.