The OP has mentioned that he has amplifiers sitting unused, waiting to be installed with a new prepro. I'm not clear on whether those are new amps or old ones that he's had for years. It sounds like there are several options being considered, 5.1 vs .7.1, atmos, avr vs separates.
If the amps are going to be employed, it goes without saying that there will need to be rack space and proper heat management for them. As long as those needs can be met, I'd encourage a prepro, and you shouldn't need to spend anywhere near 5k. Any model selected would be a MAJOR improvement over the currently being used Denon 3400.
The Marantz 7705 would provide everything needed and be thousands less. They have the Audyssey room correction system, which is widely used and almost the industry standard. Integra has Audyssey as well, where as the Yamaha model mentioned has their own room correction.
All of these units have features, bells and whistles and connection options that may overwhelm. No getting around that.
If the amps are going to be employed, it goes without saying that there will need to be rack space and proper heat management for them. As long as those needs can be met, I'd encourage a prepro, and you shouldn't need to spend anywhere near 5k. Any model selected would be a MAJOR improvement over the currently being used Denon 3400.
The Marantz 7705 would provide everything needed and be thousands less. They have the Audyssey room correction system, which is widely used and almost the industry standard. Integra has Audyssey as well, where as the Yamaha model mentioned has their own room correction.
All of these units have features, bells and whistles and connection options that may overwhelm. No getting around that.