[tstarn06]

Okay, this is all very preliminary, but even with very high expectations (soozieq, are you listening?), the Denons were pretty amazing right out of the box. I listened to a sampling of different musical styles, and all I can say is, wow. I tried them both amped and unamped, and in both cases, wow again (I preferred the amped sound, but only marginally). I can't believe the efficiency of the Denons, as I only had to push my ZVM to 18-19 clicks before the sound was plenty loud. With the Atrios, it's 22-23 (battery savings right there).

Anyway, the mids and highs sparkled, in a vey good way. I never thought I would be considering a move from the Atrios (are you listening cn11?), after dumping my Etys for them. And at this point, that's not a done deal. The Denons still must pass the test of time relative to listening fatigue, which the Atrios have already mastered.

After about 15 minutes, I had to run out to the gym, so I hooked the C700s up to the pink noise machine, and I will let them go until tomorrow morning. But the early results are scary. You and the others are right, Soozieq, Denon seems to have hit the sweet spot in terms of SQ, bass, comfort ... and a cord that doesn't tangle. I am going to add one of my shirt clips (I bought a bunch from Ety, the ER6i version), and start serious listening.

I don't know a rolled off high from a decaying note (that's for the real experts), but I believe I have pretty good ears (though some may disagree). If the first 15 minutes are any indication, and with all due respect to Bono, I think I finally found what I'm looking for.

Note: This doesn't mean I prefer the Denons over the PK1s. I have already decided that I favor the PK1 sound sig over the Atrios. Tomorrow, I will A/B the PK1s and the C700s as well, but I have a feeling I will love them equally, which is okay, too. Just different form factors, and one requires an amp, the other does not. It's all good.

Even if I find the Denons pass the fatigue test, I think I will keep the Atrios, cause I still like their warm, lush sound, but I have to admit, the mids on the Denons are sublime.