Thank you, all good suggestions! I am new at posting and now I realize I should have included more specifics, such as I only will consider brand new (maybe open box or demo with full factory warranty) and I have a space and weight limitation as the amp has to be placed within a cherry TV cabinet (open back and front for ventilation) as a spousal concession.
The Sanders ESL amp is of course a contender, especially with the discount and now knowing I do not need the MagTech version. It will fit in my cabinet, and the weight is manageable. The McIntosh would be pushing those limitations for sure, but it is a thing of beauty to my eyes.
One other consideration I've read in other threads here is the Benchmark AHB2. If I go with this amp, I could start with one amp in a stereo configuration and have plenty of $$ left for good quality isolators, power cord, speaker cables and interconnects to my preamp, with the ultimate goal of adding a second amp down the road and reconfigure them as mono blocks (and still be able to fit them both in my cabinet).
What say ye?
Match or even better synergy amongst system components is crucial. Otherwise, standalone great components sound mediocre. Sanders gives you the opportunity, through their home trial period with full refund if unsatisfied, to determine if their amp match with client loudspeaker. Benchmark does not offer home trial.
Whether total Harmonic distortion 1% or 0.01% most humans unable to hear difference. Human ear sense distortion if THD greater than 1%. Both, possibly Sanders Sound System and definitely Benchmark have less than 1 in 100-part THD. Ergo Benchmark unique selling proposition does not really differentiate their amp from most other amps. Their unique selling proposition may be able to differentiate their product to the same extent as Benchmark amplifier external eye candy.
To give first preference, rank and buy components on the basis of external product design rather than what is inside may be detrimental to achieving stellar sound.
Benchmark Bridged mono amp see their minimum impedance driving capability reduced or halved. For Benchmark this is from 3 ohms to 6 ohms. I may be mistaken however I see significant impedance mismatch when operating 2 Benchmark amps and ESL Electromotion X.
Sanders Sound System amp may give you the highly valued sense of sonic ease or effortlessness. Single or double Benchmark power amp may not give you a sense of effortless sonics when operated with ELS Electromotion X. I Have not heard both amplifiers.
In addition, the sales value of 2 Benchmark amps, that are also less able impedance wise compared to Sander's sound System, will exceed your budget limit and exceed the price of stereo Sanders Sound System amp by 1500$.
I have been using Benchmark RCA to XLRM cable for approx. 5 years. They sound good and are I think a very good value. Benchmark banana plugs at both ends loudspeaker cable, pure XLR interconnect, power cord along with Sanders Sound System stereo-amplifier may not exceed your budget limit of 6k.
Another very good value cable company is world best cables. Not tried their cable.
