Receiver shopping for future Atmos (1 Viewer)

[leemr lee123]

Shopping for a new receiver but I'm a bit confused on something. I'd be looking at future state as a 5.1.2 setup, or 7.1.2 at most. My question being what should I be looking for in a 7 channel receiver, that will allow me the ability to add an amp for a 9 channel setup down the road? Also, is it way more cost effective to just spend the extra couple hundred dollars for a 9 channel receiver? I know the alternative would be an extra amp for 2 channels, but I have never shopped for a stand alone amp before. Thanks!

 

[Type A]

You can find two channel amps for around $100. Preamp outputs on a receiver allow for external amps to be connected. Normally these outputs come on middle and higher end AVRs. If you want the ability for 9 channels the AVR you find will likely have both 9 channels and preouts but look around, that might not be the case. If you post your budget for an AVR I wouldn't be surprised if some folks make some specific AVR recommendations...

 

[DaveF]

It's going to depend on specifically what you are shopping for. I quickly looked at Denon, and to get 9 pre-outs (for 5.2.4 or 7.2.2) you have to buy a 9-channel amplifier, which starts around $1500 MSRP. The 7 channel receivers (5.2.2) only offer seven channel pre-out. I don't know if all brands are the same, but for Denon right now, it appears to not be cheaper to buy a lesser AVR and amplifiers later.