Biggest impact: moving from integrated to separates

@keithtexas thanks, I like my speakers (ZU Soul MK2) which are 99db efficient.

Two interfaces that affect sound the most are a) speaker to room and 2) amplifier to speaker. You don’t say what your speakers are, whether you are happy with them, or what type of sound you’re looking for. Low power SET + hi efficiency speakers is a very different sound than say a tube pre and solid state amp. If it’s the latter you’re looking for, consider a Don Sachs pre ($1,600?) and the new Adcom GFA 555SE at $1,300. Or if you're just looking for more detail and power than the Chronus, check out other integrateds like the Bryston BP135 or Musical Fidelity M6i. Another possibility is the Line Magnetic integrateds, or the LSA Statement(s), etc.