yes, you can do:
-multichannefiles 5.1, 6, 8 and more read it with JRiver
-stereofiles: read and convert to surround 5.1, 6, 8 (ambisonic etc.)
both works great and with just one single setting.
Just choose the file and thats it.
JRiver is the only player I found to work on PC with any filetype (mp3, flac, wav..) and any samplingrate (as much as your audiointerface does) and with any bit depth (16, 24, 32..)
Setup:
I use in "DSP&output format" fix multichannel 12 or 16 for example.
I send it then through VST (plogue-bidule and inside you place VST-plug ins you want).
As crossover you can use the JRiver or much more sophisticated ("accourate convolver", although not for free, ist EUR150.- minus VAT for export), or use the speakers crossover
Then use a multichannel audiointerface with as many channels you need to connect to power-amp and speakers:
-RME Fireface UFX: 12x analog out
-Motu828: 12x analog out
-focusrite saphire40: dont know that as well how many
many others....
actually for music, 4-6 channels are enough (5.1 or ambisonic hexagon=6 channels).
If you need movies may be you want more
Peter