Receiver

No, never get a receiver..... The power amp sections should be separate, not in the same box for an audiophile experience, i.e., if you also plan to listen to music with it.

Get a Surround Preamp Processor such as the Marantz AV10 (there are no amplifiers built into it!!!).

Thereafter, get any number of power amplifiers for how many ever speakers you’ve got.

For example, here is a decent Multichannel Power Amplifier.

ATI 6600 signature series series, 300Watts @ 8 ohms, 450 Watts @ 4ohms all channels driven.... Since you can get these with any number of channels ranging from 2 to 7, you could probably get one 3 channel amplifier for the front stage and a second amp with however many channels you need for the remaining channels (surrounds, back surrounds, heights, etc).

Other cheaper multichannel power amplifier options could be the bigger Class AB Rotels, Parasound, Monoliths, etc.

You could also use any of the hifi 2 channel high end amplifiers you prefer for your surround rig, but, the latter approach could get quite expensive.

I like the idea of separates as well. ATI reportedly builds the Monoprice Monolith amps. HSU has been suspected of being involved with the Monoprice Monolith’s subs.

I’ve been running a Marantz 7704 with a Monoprice Monolith 5-channel amp and I’ve found that separates provide better separation of effects, clarity at higher levels of volume, and greater dynamics. Both the pre and the amp have been rock solid for the past 7-8 years.

@toro3 Yes, Dr. Hsu did indeed design some of the earlier Monolith subs. ATI has a hand in the Monolith amps, but the latter is built/restricted to a price point (similar circuit design, parts quality commensurate with price). Monoprice has a history of pairing with the right technical SMEs to get them up to speed.