Receiver

Another way to go would be to get separate pre amp processor and multi channel amps.  I use a Parasound 5 channel amp in one system and the Anthem MRX 520 is basically a preamp.  In my other HT system the Anthem 520 drives all speakers.  Miller’s remark that a receiver might have to much going on under one bonnet is an extension of the same philosophy that in two channel, separates work better than an integrated amp or amp/DAC; there is something to that but in practice there are excellent sounded integrated amps and AVRs

+2 Anthem

It depends on what one wants a Surround Sound system to do.  Many people use a two channel system for music and use their HT systems primarily for Video.
Then if their tastes in Video run to action movies with lots of explosions, etc. they will have different requirements from their system than, say, myself.
  I listen to music primarily in my 2 channel system.  One of my HT systems (living room) is primarily my wife’s domain, and we watch shows there.  We don’t do action films as a rule but I enjoy the enhanced ability to appreciate dialogue and ambience.  My other HT system in the basement I originally cobbled together for millennials that were living there, but now that they’re gone for years I have been steadily upgrading and there are certain recordings that simply sound better in multichannel.  I listen to Classical, and there are many SACDs and Blu Rays that are tastefully done.  The rears provide ambience, and many of the recordings from labels such as Pentatone and BIS do a wonderful job of simulating the reflections that one would get from the rear walls of a Concert Hall.  For example, try the Brahms Symphony Cycle on Pentatone with Marek Janowski conducting the Pittsburgh SO.  The superb sense of atmosphere elevates it from just being a very good Brahms Cycle (in two channel)  to top of the class in MC.  I’ve been listening to and watching my Blu Ray of the Nutcracker, Rudolph Nureyev choreographed, from the Vienna Staatoper, and the surrounds enhance the sounds of the dancers and the audience applause.  Both my HTs are 5.1, btw; the architecture of my house won’t accommodate Atmos.