Amp question with size constraints

I have a differing opinion on the cables for the Benchmark stack. After using the BM stack for a long-time I found that the Benchmark XLRs sounded the best with the BM stack. Not so with other gear.

I am setting up my Livingroom speakers today with the LA4 + DAC3B + CODA#16. I have cables from Audience that cost a lot more, but I prefer the BM cables.

Several years ago I finally bagged my 10-year audio affair with powered desktop speakers. There were precious few of these (at that time, anyway) designed with audio purity and excellence in mind. I got a gently used pair of ATC monitors and found myself in need of a stereo amp--one that would fit in a constrained space.

I did gobs of research and found a used/mint condition Class D amp, the Wyred 4 Sound ST-500. It’s 13" deep & 17" wide, but I could fit it by standing it on one side (w/approval of Wyred 4 Sound). I loved the sound of this thing from day-1.

I now understand how incredibly lucky I was to "thread the needle" with this amp, which avoided the class D sonic pitfalls that were more common when it was manufactured (probably ~2011), while also avoiding the insanely expensive "audiphile" class D designs them coming out.

You can find a used one of these on USAudioMart. Highly recommended.

I will someday upgrade to another class D design, but am still waiting for one that touches all the bases for me.

I have to admit the ADG Audion is a very good sounding amp for the money. A friend brought over a pair for the afternoon and we replaced them with my Audio Research Reference 160 monoblocks. While they did not best the REF160m they were very good. For their price they are very good.

@polanskyd I like the way you expressed your open mind about your predicament.

Are you married to a woman (or dude? Lol) that's going to complain about the amount of money you need to spend to make your approach work for you?

I know there are probably plenty of purists around here that'll scoff at your idea of not achieving what you're looking for using separates, but I bet if you got a nice enough one it would float your boat.

I had assumed that Class Ds would be a step down though that increasingly seems to be a prejudice.

It is, but started from class D amps being poorly executed 10-20 years ago. Things have improved- class D amps are now able to sound as good as the best class A amps whether tube or solid state.