AudioControl receiver vs separates

audiotroy, that sounds like a great demo that let's you really compare differences. I knew there were units of different quality, but I thought I was comparing the upper end of HT when asking about Marantz separates.

So here's a really tough question for you. Have you compared the AudioControl AVR-9 (that's the top receiver right?) to the Anthem AVM 60 with Savoy you have right now? Where does it stand because now we're talking similar money and quality?

mzkmzcv, I totally agree with you. For a while I chased used Proceed AVP2 units because people told me that a well setup 5.1 system is better than the newer 7.1 formats. Plus my budget was lower back then. The thing was it really wasn't better to my ears, the higher resolution master audio sounded miles better to me. It had nothing to do with 5.1 vs 7.1, it was just that the higher resolution source (lossless 24/192) was just better. The problem was you can only pass that stuff over HDMI as far as I know so I had to change everything.

For today's stuff, I'm not sure Atmos is better because I understand it to be more about speaker location than source quality. I haven't really heard a good Atmos theater so I'm just not sure. The reviews I read about 5.1 Master Audio vs 5.1.2 Atmos are mixed. Plus my theater only has one row of seats. But, the room correction is a big plus and I agree Dirac looks great (AudoControl has it also).

Thanks for the recommendation on the NAD T777 V3. I'll look into that because it seems to have a lot for the price.

Yes, I think keeping future use in mind is important. For me, I still have a 1080 projector, but I'll probably upgrade that during the life of this unit. So 4K and HDR are important because I plan to get a 4K unit next when the prices come done some more.

I really like the idea of using the receiver's amps for surround and getting an external amp for the critical channels. I would probably include the center as one to get an external amp. So if one were to do a 5.1.4 Atmos setup it would be ideal to use the preamp outs to an external amp for the L/C/R channels and then use the receiver to power the 6 other channels, two rear surrounds and the 4 Atmos ceiling.

The problem is, I don't think all receivers can do this. I'm not sure, but I don't think the AudioControl allows you to use the 7 channels of amplification for any speakers you want. Maybe someone here knows how to set something like that up.