Problem solved! First and foremost, thanks to all who helped. A new amp was the answer. I went from 150 by 5 to 300 by 5. Both Adcom. I still have the same cheap IC cables and cheap Denon 2910. I have a new Denon 3910 on the way. I would not have bought it if I knew what a difference this amp would make. New cables are coming too. I cannot possibly imagine this system sounding any better than it does now. I am embarrassed to say that I think the harshness I was hearing was the amp clipping! Someone at usedcables.com told me about the clipping possibility and suggested I try more power before I try new cables. How's that for honesty? I am sure there are those who responded to my questions that thought about clipping. Probably assumed I would know clipping when I heard it. Thank you for that assumption....but.....like I said....I am new at this! Vman71 and Fife nailed it with their responses. Thanks, man! By the way, my closest neighbor is 1/4 mile away. He commented that he likes my new Tracy Chapman CD. What do you suppose he was trying to say?