@roxy54 and @oddiofyl have made valid points. It’s not gonna fly for many of us, IMO.
I have multiple systems in the house (4). I will limit this blurb to my 2-channel “A” system versus my “HT” 7.1 system herein.
- My “A” system is high-end 2-channel ($50 grand-ish) that is great for audio via cdp, or streamer / network NAS server. I also prefer QUBOZ streaming over TIDAL and APPLE.
- I’ve also got a 7.1 channel separate and discreet “C” system down in my HT mancave. But it is now limited only to multichannel BluRay movies and concerts. A lot of the material is distributed in 5.1format and no ATMOS. It’s a decent enough system FOR ITS INTENDED USE ( about $20K …half for MARTIN LOGAN 7.1 system speakers & half for electronics (2&3 channel YBA power amps, discrete all digital AV 7.1 preamp processor, & 7.1 channel digital player )
KEY POINT
Without prejudice to:
(i) the many logistical hurdles and the like already brought up in this thread about ATMOS speaker placements challenges etc,
(ii) the music industry following Elton John to re-recording in multichannel is still very limited in product choice or availability.
Simply put, there isn’t an AV multichannel receiver on this planet that can compete with a high-end 2-channel system for premium audio performance …. Not even close …. Full stop. I had the very top model CAMBRIDGE AVR and an ARCAM in prior iterations of my current HT system.
If eclectic multichannel audio stirs your drink .,,, fine …. Carry on, sir! But it is not going to influence the overwhelming cohort of mainstream 2-channel hi-fi fans, - especially the high-end audio enthusiasts - to steer away from mainstream 2-channel.
The side to side and front to back soundstage created in highend 2 channel audio is a superior 3-dimensional depth musical experience anyway IMO