Surround formats change ... there will alway be that pull to get the latest ... and usually that means upgrading your receiver/prepro. Chesseroo maybe able to sweat it out as the world around him moves on but I'd plan on a bit less time than a decade plus. Just MO.
That actually reads like a personal dig. Without some smiley face it's hard to tell.
Contrary to the opinions of those who get highly involved in audio as a hobby, many people who come to the forums are asking for everyday Joe advice. Not everyone feels like they need the latest surround sound format. Only hardcore HT folk consider constant upgrades
every few years and with new formats like Atmos, you have to add not just a new AVR but also speakers.
This is not the actions nor thinking of the average joe.
You need to take a look at how many people do not even have a 5.1 system or consider how many people can't afford even a HTIB system which have been around for how many decades now? (over two if you are counting)
https://www.statista.com/statistics/736072/home-theater-system-surround-us-household-penetration/If i'm so behind holding onto a DD 6.1 AVR for 15 years, what about the other 60% of American homes that don't have any surround sound at all?
Are they feeling the pull to get the latest because if so, why aren't the numbers higher and climbing fast?
Forum folk overestimate how many people are jumping on the new and cutting edge bandwagons because many you talk to in here tend to have it or are gunning for it, but we aren't the majority of people. As i said previously which i guess got glossed over, unless a person always wants cutting edge [and has the cash and time and inclination], you don't need to upgrade very often and certainly not as often as people provide advice for on forums like this.
I've had a 5.1 Dolby Digital surround system (6.1 capable) for 15+ years which is more than 99% of any neighbor we know. Our neighborhood can certainly afford such things if they wanted but our neighbors prefer spending their money on cottages, boats, cars, travel, wine, sports... Even i never bothered to get that pair of surround rears to run as the 6th channel.
Come on.
Reality is the majority of people will have an AVR for 10 years or more. Case in point, the OP has had their system for 14 years already and is just upgrading now and I didn't see any questions asking about the latest amazing format (Dolby Atmos).
So ask the basic question then, just how much cutting edge is the OP really needing based on information from the first post? (no mention of adding more speakers or Atmos installation)
Pre-outs.
4 ohm capable
4k capable
7.1 format
HDR (hit and miss with this anyway)
That's barely a 2017 specs AVR. I would be recommending an older used AVR, perhaps a 2018, save on cash and it will fill that list of specs easily.
