Is Dolby Atmos worth adding to my setup?

[Profile237]

I have an Onkyo TX-NR5009, which has been the centre of my main system for some time and I have very few complaints. However, with the ever increasing number of Dolby Atmos encoded sources, I am wondering if I am missing out on too much. I don't want to spend another £2,000+ to improve on what I have by replacing my Onkyo, but I am considering if it worth going another route. Since the Onkyo has a full set of multi-channel inputs, would it be worth adding a, relatively, cheap, up-to-date receiver to provide the decoding and keep my Onkyo for the power? I know the Onkyo's decoding and processing was one of it's strongest selling points, when I got it, but, perhaps things have moved on sufficiently, now, for a more budget friendly amp/receiver to have comparable or even better decoding.
I would really appreciate any thoughts/advice on this.

the bulk of my main system:
Onkyo TX-NR5009 Receiver
Denon DBP-2012UD Blu-ray/Universal disc player
Samsung QN65S95CAFXZA TV
Panasonic PT-AT5000E Projector
Sansui SR222 Mk5 turntable
Sony CDP-XB920E QS CD Player
XBOX Series X
Mission 753 Fronts, 75C, one pair 77DS and one pair M5DS surround and rear speakers, Kef Kube 2 Sub

 

[daytona600]

Good set speakers costs a few hundred quid
Good set of atmos speakers 7.2 costs thousands
Good set of atmos speakers 15.4.6 costs tens of thousands

Atmos is fantastic but not cheap & sky is the limit

 

[Messiah]

A few thoughts/questions:

- Are you planning on adding height/ceiling speakers to get the full benefit of Atmos?

- If so, are you planning on 5.1.2 (2 fronts, centre, 2 rears, 1 sub and then 2 height) or 7.1.2 (2 fronts, centre, 2 side, 2 rears, 1 sub and 2 height).

- And if so, does the Onkyo have enough inputs to accommodate 7.1.2?

- Is there a cheap Atmos receiver that has the necessary pre-outs? (I find this tends to be a feature with more expensive models).

I have not heard the Onkyo so I really cannot comment on how the sound might compare with a modern receiver but I can see a modern receiver being a simpler solution and you can benefit with features like eArc.

I replaced a Pioneer receiver that was a similar age to your Onkyo (although probably over 1K less) with a Denon receiver (3700h - cost me about £600) and I have been very happy with it. Certainly better than the Pioneer it replaced.

 

[Profile237]

Good set speakers costs a few hundred quid
Good set of atmos speakers 7.2 costs thousands
Good set of atmos speakers 15.4.6 costs tens of thousands

Atmos is fantastic but not cheap & sky is the limit

I have a few pairs of Kef Ci160QR flush mount speakers, plus a selection of Ci100QR and Ci50R plus a pair of CiFDT flush mounted surrounds that I thought I would use to add the additional channels.