Hmmmm, You're #3 point, gives me something to think about.

Funny, isn't everyone enjoying Atmos now doing so with non Atmos media.
It seems Dolby Surround is what the fuss is about. How many Atmos disks are out now? one?
Isn't Auro doing the same until actual media comes out?

Both pro and con arguments apply to all of these new formats.
Even DTS's solution that isn't even out yet.

Transformers 4, Step Up All In, Expendables 3, Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtles (John Wick, Gravity, announced). If you're willing to import Japanese releases, then you can add Transcendence, Enchanted Kingdom and I,Frankenstein to the list. Not to the same degree when it comes to encoded content. I'll paraphrase my earlier comment you quoted: personally, I would not spend $200 on the Auro upmixer.

I don't guess any specs have been put out for the new pre/pro. I sure would like to know besides ATMOS, if it will include DTS-X. Also if it'll have Audyssey XT32 and support multiple subs. Trying to wait instead of pulling the plug on the AV7702.

Thanks Sanjay

I am trying to decide if I should pull the trigger on the AV7702. I bought an Onkyo 886 when Outlaw offered them. It's treated me very well. However, Atmos is intriguing as I could easily add four ceiling channels to my 7.1 setup. I was just curious if there would be a noticeable difference between the 886 and the 7702 for non-Atmos entitled tracks to justify the expense. If anyone has heard both of these processors, any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

The new processors can decode many more formats -- if you increase the number of channels in your home theater that can have a much more immersive feeling -- http://www.homecinemachoice.com/news/art...io-review/13896

The other less obvious side effect is that the new pre-pros also use higher precision DSPs and lower crosstalk / noise floor circuitry to handle the increased bandwidth of the new formats which generally translates into an improved clarity even for the old formats. Depending on how quiet your listening area is and how carefully you've setup your existing system this may be subtle or very noticeable, it is not really just a function of the new pre-pro but even things as basic as how quietly you can tolerate your audio playback before it overcomes the sounds of your HVAC system and other appliances -- one time I helped a friend spec out a pretty basic home theater and it sounded pretty nice for not very much money but then he (or his wife or somebody) decided it would be convenient to have a fridge in the same room and I tell you that old compressor meant you need to up the volume about 20% and to drown out that thing. The psychological effect was that the quietest scenes had the actors screaming at your to "cover up" the fridge sounds...

I doubt you could tell any audible difference in normal 7 channel or stereo listening. One of the intriguing but less than clear aspects of Atmos and DTS-x is that higher end bluray players should be able to decode the dedicated tracks. What is fuzzy is whether some of the output channels could be set to act as the object channels. Imagine that you have a 5.1 system and you want to dedicate the rear surrounds to atmos, will the setup allow you to do that just by connecting the back channels to the amp and go. The Onkyo 886 already has three 32 bit DSP chips so I believe it has the processing power but maybe not the firmware pathway. While I believe the object based audio will catch on, it may be too much of a leap to invest in even more high end gear with limited source material and a lot of uncertainty as to what the firmware in all the new equipment will look like and integrate into current systems. I am currently building a home theater in my basement and I will allow for the eventual upgrade path but for now I plan on 7.2 channels max

The Audyssey room correction on the 7702 is noticeably better than the older Audyssey version on the 886, especially in the low frequencies.