@tempnexus Yes atmos is good because it separates the two sound fields. So 7.1.2 would be good. If you can get 2 more speakers in the ceiling, 5.1.4 is supposed to be better?
I didn't see any mention of speakers or treatments or sub(s) so to ensure the best HT experience make sure you have spent a good deal of the budget on speakers and treatments. Next would be an awesome sub or good dual subs if possible, then see what budget you have left for the receiver. Best two budget 9 channel receivers right now are the Onkyo 797 and Denon x3600 (refurbed). Onkyo has crappy RC but the x3600 has the very capable xt32 with subeq ht
Ok, so just my $.02 others will chime in with more experience as I own none of these.
Dirac is the best RC we mortals on a budget can get. However, the only receiver near your budget is the NAD 758v3i. which has very limited hdmi inputs and no hdmi 2.1. Otherwise you will have to look for an older Arcam avr390 or 550. There is the cousin Lexicon rv-6 in the classifieds too for around your budget.
Arc genesis is probably next best RC, depending on who you ask, so the older Anthem mrx720/1120 are probably the only receivers near the budget. But of course getting hard to find right now.
I will add the older pioneer receivers use mcacc pro which is similar to the xt32 below. You can find only a few left around your budget, the sc-lx701/801/901 and newer lx704. Very similar to the onkyo rz840 but with better room correction and class D amps.
Xt32 is supposed to be great for movies and dual subs of course, so in your budget the refurbed x3600/x3700 and x4500 are about as good as it gets. You might be able to find an x4700 that someone is selling quick to get the newer version with working hdmi 2.1 board, but they sell fast.
Yamaha makes a great receiver of course so the A2070/2080/3070 or a3080 are 9 channels and excellent for HT and music, but their ypao RC is probably last on this list. You can tweak it manually and some love it, your room may be perfect but used Yamaha gear is not often on sale so you would have to score a deal with a friend?
OR......Yamaha, Pioneer and Onkyo have new 2021 models coming soon. Most are already above your budget but the Onkyo nr7100 is 9 channels with Dirac and supposed to have 3 working 40 gbps hdmi 2.1 ports.
I didn't see any mention of speakers or treatments or sub(s) so to ensure the best HT experience make sure you have spent a good deal of the budget on speakers and treatments. Next would be an awesome sub or good dual subs if possible, then see what budget you have left for the receiver. Best two budget 9 channel receivers right now are the Onkyo 797 and Denon x3600 (refurbed). Onkyo has crappy RC but the x3600 has the very capable xt32 with subeq ht
Ok, so just my $.02 others will chime in with more experience as I own none of these.
Dirac is the best RC we mortals on a budget can get. However, the only receiver near your budget is the NAD 758v3i. which has very limited hdmi inputs and no hdmi 2.1. Otherwise you will have to look for an older Arcam avr390 or 550. There is the cousin Lexicon rv-6 in the classifieds too for around your budget.
Arc genesis is probably next best RC, depending on who you ask, so the older Anthem mrx720/1120 are probably the only receivers near the budget. But of course getting hard to find right now.
I will add the older pioneer receivers use mcacc pro which is similar to the xt32 below. You can find only a few left around your budget, the sc-lx701/801/901 and newer lx704. Very similar to the onkyo rz840 but with better room correction and class D amps.
Xt32 is supposed to be great for movies and dual subs of course, so in your budget the refurbed x3600/x3700 and x4500 are about as good as it gets. You might be able to find an x4700 that someone is selling quick to get the newer version with working hdmi 2.1 board, but they sell fast.
Yamaha makes a great receiver of course so the A2070/2080/3070 or a3080 are 9 channels and excellent for HT and music, but their ypao RC is probably last on this list. You can tweak it manually and some love it, your room may be perfect but used Yamaha gear is not often on sale so you would have to score a deal with a friend?
OR......Yamaha, Pioneer and Onkyo have new 2021 models coming soon. Most are already above your budget but the Onkyo nr7100 is 9 channels with Dirac and supposed to have 3 working 40 gbps hdmi 2.1 ports.
