… plus the issue of all current receivers not being fully HDCP 2.2 compliant (well apart from Onkyo......maybe ),
That would ordinarily be sound advice, but some major changes are about to occur that would be best catered for by waiting until purchasing a new AV receiver. This is especially the case when you consider these changes are going to be effecting the more dedicated home theatre enthusiasts miore than anyone else and that such enthusiasts usually spend quite a lot on their kit when they do replace items or buy new kit. You'd be pretty peed off if spending near enough £2K on a new AV receiver now only to find it cannot deal with new standards a few months later. It is also increasingly looking as though none of the current AV receivers will be updated for use with DTS-X. The new format is apparently very processor intensive and current receivers simply lack the processing power to deal with it. Onkyo are already telling existing customers that current AV receivers will not be getting an update and only some of the new models will support the new format.
Okay - so future proof by getting the speakers sorted and run your existing AV amp until you are ready to upgrade. Instant joy with the promise of better to come. Your credit card might appreciate the spreading of the load.
Also note that although Onkyo receivers offer HDCP compliance, they do so in a manner that actually reduces their ability to passthrough 4K UHD content. It is true that Onkyo receiver support HDCP 2.2, but they do not fully support 4K UHD encoded content.
What is about to change isn't a mystery and well documented so I'd suggest now is not the best time to invest large sums of money into a new AV receiver. Wait until tat least the end of this year or maybe even wait until next years models are with us.
I cant see why you would wait tbh, most of the new Amps will support all 3 and as they said in the article, you can probably discount Auro3D.
and let's get to lossless audio first, before thinking about extra channels!
Most of the new amps do not unfortunately support all three of the new formats.
Only Denon/Marantz appear to have embraced Atmos and DTS:X wholesale and only they offer a paid Auro 3D update with their higher tier receivers.
If you've a limited budget then your options are also going to be limited.
Older ones yes but if you get this years models I'm not sure thats true.
It is true and I went into some depth to explain that to you. Yamaha will not be launching any receiver under £1K that includes Atmos and or DTS:X. Sony have not announced any receivers with either Atmos or DTS:X. Pioneer haven't announced any new receivers that will include either Atmos or DTS:X and all their entry levels models will not include support for either. Only Pioneers top models will will include either Atmos or DTS:X. Only Onkyo and D&M have decided to include both Atmos and DTS:X onboard entry level receivers. Onkyo are including it onboard every receiver from the TXNR646 upward, Denon are including both onboard every receiver from the ARRRVX1200W upward and Marantz are including the new formats onboard every receiver from the SR5010 upward. No manufacturer apart from D&M is offering Auro 3D via their AV receiver and D&M only offer this as a paid update option on their top tier models.
OK, so if you want this you have to get a Denon, Marantz, Onkyo or high end Pioneer.
That's still quite a selection.
In a way though I don't see it as an issue that there are fewer cheaper AVRs with Atmos/DTS:X. Generally those buyers would be struggling to find the extra cash for the ceiling speakers and it's also arguable whether it's a good idea hanging even more speakers off a lower powered amp (and it's shared power supply) anyway. Of course I know that some people will want every single bell and whistle for their money, but IMHO sometimes quality over quantity is more important.
In any case it's not like there isn't a budget option, though IMHO if buying a 646 then I reckon it's more of a 'badges and features' purchase than an audiophile purchase...
Yes, but not most of the new receivers as you suggested anf not inclusive of Auro 3D. You don't have to guess at this because the manufacturers have announced their new line ups are are already begining to ship them. You simply have to look at the new models and their specifications to see that your appraisal was wrong.
You can buy a pair of Atmos upward firing speakers for under £80. They aren't fantastic, but even some of those with the high end DEnon AVR7200W are giving them a go with favourable results. How much do you think a pair of ceiling speakers will cost exactly? They are no more expensive than your average bookcase speaker.
I doubt the cost of the speakers will be an issue, but implimentation of them may cause problems?
I think the issue with choosing ONkyo will be their dropping of Audyssey and their implimentation of their own AccuEQ system? This wasn't received very well last year and ONkyo have done nothing to improve upon AccuEQ. Many have said that they'll not buy another Onkyo receiver while Onkyo continue to use AccuEQ.