Hi,
For the cost, focusing on a budget, the Yamaha & Denon offerings are going to pretty much be what you'll find. Since most of what you're listening to is just streaming, realize that almost no content has native 7 channels in it and it's all being upmixed from either 2 channel or 5 channel to 7 channel, so the quality of this is going to be based on the processor doing the upmixing. The same is true if you expanded into atmos. So if you're on a tight budget, I would argue, do you even really need the 7 channel thing? Instead, if you have any interest at all in potentially trying atmos, a 5.1.4 setup is the best bang for buck. But yes a 9 channel processor will generally be at the $1k mark across the board.
The thing about a newer AVR is that you get
better room correction software and better processors for upmixing legacy content to surround. And then of course, latest connectivity and features for video (not just audio).
You seem to be holding onto gear as long as you can, so if your goal is a 10+ year use, and you have interset in atmos and other stuff, you probably should just get a solid AVR that can do what you want to eventually do. Otherwise, you'll just spend twice as much doing this
twice. I would absolutely argue that atmos heights are going to be far more immersive and interesting for surround content than a 7 channel ear level setup will be and would definitely look at the 5.1.4 approach over a 7.1 if possible.
If it comes back in stock, the
X3700H is the one to get.
The
RX-A2080 is a solid offering from Yamaha.
On a budget, the
RX-A880 gives you a lot of power, pre-amp output and connectivity.
So maybe wait, see what happens as stock everywhere is out or thin, and maybe some good sales will appear later this year.
Very best,