Gonk they do sell shielded Atoms. The ones I own are not shielded, but I think at couple feet away I can test for use as a cc.

Thank you Gonk!

Mayor D
My brother bought the Marantz 7200 and he has the full Paradigm speaker package with the Ref 80s. When I auditioned his system I was surprised at the weak sound. He said he noticed that too. His Paradigms in HT just didn't seem to be getting enough juice! After some research I came across this info:
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Hollow/3401/ratevsac.htm
I find that the real power of the Marantz into 6 channels is only 27 watts! The Outlaw 1050 according to them is 62 watts into 5 (which I believe is pretty close to the specs listed).
Anyways my brother visited, and when I fired up my system :Outlaw 1050, Ed Frias AR.com diys speakers (3 in the front), Polk surrounds (until I build another set of Ar.com diys), and my diy Tempest sub: he was blown away by the sound. He was so impressed he is getting me to build 6 of the AR.com speakers and a Tempest for him. He is hoping he can trade in his Marantz 7200 for something with more power. He is looking into the newer Marantz 7300, hopefully it doesn't have the same power issues.
Just a little input. Everyones mileage can vary.

MCH, that is really strange with your brother. I have the Marantz SR6200, it has the same amp as the 7200, but fewer features. I have not noticed a power deficiency. My speakers go pretty loud, I can still tolerate the level they go to, but it doesn't really hurt. The neighbors would notice some though. My speakers are Mirage OM-5 mains, OM-C2 center and Bose 301 surrounds. I used to have Bose 701 mains and those things just rocketed up with the volume. They were set 8-10 lower than anything else and still dominated. These did hurt at high volume.

MCH- has he tried different speakers or receiver to test where to problem might be? This doesn't seem right for a receiver with such good reviews. Is it still under warantee? Maybe take it to where he bought it and have them hook it up side-by-side with thier demo unit to see if something is wrong. I wouldn't give up on his speakers if he's been listening to a bad source. By the way R80's are rated 15-250 watt receiver compatible. 180 watt max input.

[This message has been edited by Q-man (edited November 15, 2002).]

[This message has been edited by Q-man (edited November 15, 2002).]

MCH: Perhaps your brother has a defective unit. It's worth checking out. I saw the "geocities watts-report" as well, but my 7200 has plenty of volume with ample headroom to spare. There's no denying that the 1050 has plenty of power and "oomph". For sheer power, it probably outpowers anything in it's class, and no doubt a couple price levels higher. It's been said in this forum that the Marantz sound is clean but a bit more laid back, where the 1050 offers a bit more up front in-your-face punch, and I agree. It's a matter of preference though. There are so many variables. My living room is approx 20 x 30 with an 8 foot ceiling and quite a bit of wood. I have six AAD E-30 satellites and one AAD E-8 sub. A very compatible set-up. The 7200 learning remote is nice, and Prologic II works for my uses. If I did more DVD viewing (then PLII is irrelevant) the 1050 is great. Good power, good sound, good price, and easy to use. Enjoy!

[This message has been edited by Mayor D (edited November 15, 2002).]

Just another side note to this brother story. My brother is purely a classical listener. I venture he must have approx. 2000 classical CDs. Basically it's a classical library.
Anyways. He always felt that a sub wouldn't be of any benifit in his system. One day he started some serious listening, on my system, to some of his cherished classical CDs he brought; while I was out. When I got back he says "I think I DO need a sub in my system!" He felt he was missing a lot of presence in the low end. The music with the sub was much richer and fuller. Here is a classical (as in music) guy with Paradigm Ref 80s wanting a sub. Being the nice brother I am, I offered to build the same version of Tempest that I have (Octagon shape and sealed). He gladly accepted. I'm happy too, because I love woodworking.
Moral of the story is: I would venture a lot of systems would reap the benefits of a good subwoofer.
my 2 1/2cents

MCH: Ahh, 'tis true. Without the use of a sub-woofer, one's system coud be sub-standard.

Very true. I have 250 watt subs in each tower that go down to 22 hz and feel a separate sub could still help my system, especially in music. Strange, nearly all people who have commented onthe bass they use for movies and music say that they turn it up for movies and down for music. I have plenty for movies, but not enough for music.