I am planning to upgrade my Denon AVR-2700 receiver (going digital) and am not sure which receiver to buy. I have been looking at the Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K as it is in my price range, comparable in power and it is getting good reviews. The question is should I upgrade to 7.1 if I don't intend to use more than 5.1. I am using Polk RT-2000 mains and the center and surrounds that go with them in a room that is 12' X 10' so I have plenty of speaker (more than I have room for) so I don't want to add the rear-effect (I probably couldn't find the matching speakers even if I wanted to). I would appreciate any input....
I don't think 7.1 is any great shakes over 5.1. There are not many movies that are tracked Dolby EX 7.1 (Star Wars). You will be fine with 5.1 in a room of that size. The other 2 channels can be used for a second zone in another room or outside