Sonus faber choices - help me decide

The amp is fine honestly to get you going and I would start by adding a two channel preamp. One with a home theater bypass would be simplest. If it does not have one you can just set the volume the same every time (12:00,3:00 etc) and use one of the inputs to pass through.

I have had several Rotel amps and still use one on my surrounds. I have done direct AB comparisons against Bench Mark ABH2 (I no longer own) and my current McIntosh MC462 and the Rotel is fine. It has plenty of power. They are a touch bright (no brighter than say Bryston) and a little cold/edgy in the upper mids in absolute terms but really start with the preamp or just get a good DAC if you just use digital music those surround processors suck the life out of music.

When I demoed the Nova III it was on the new Classe’ delta amp and matching preamp ($$$$) but it was pretty great.

Why in the world would you buy a $38,000 speaker and drive it with a Denon receiver?  Not bagging on Denon for what they do well at a price point, but come on!

That is why I didn't buy the $38,000 speakers. I went with the Olympica Nova V instead. And I'm not driving them wholly from the Denon. The Denon is running in preamp mode. The signal is going to a Rotel 5x200w amp.

My next update will be amplification or pre-amplification. I use the room mostly for 2-channel (technically 2.2), but it is a home theater as well. That leaves me two paths. I could buy a higher-end AVR or processor+amps to clean up the signal path (e.g. Anthem), or I could buy an integrated amp that has home theater bypass. I have a PS5, so HDMI 2.1 is a big nice-to-have, and none of the higher end brands I have seen support 2.1 yet. I'm leaning toward the HT bypass route, and have my eye on the Anthem STR integrated. I really want room correction. In my experience it makes a world of difference. That is why the STR is attractive. I understand ARC is really good.

I'm open to suggestions. I am new-ish to high-end audio, so if anyone has suggestions on the right path and right equipment to match Olympica Nova Vs, I'm all ears.

Yes use the bypass option to a preamp or DAC.  Pricy home theater processors are still just ok (not great) and get outdated real quick. Honestly I would try some budget ones first. Schitt or Benchmark might surprise you. 

The Sonus Faber’s I’ve heard were driven by Accuphase amps, for what it’s worth. Pricey, I know... It depends a lot not only on the budget and synergy, but also on your priorities in terms of sound. For example, I value tone and timbre very highly so I’ve recently bought an Accuphase E-470. For ultimate dynamics and impact I would have considered something else.

As difficult as it may be, trying at home would be the best option by a thousand miles. Maybe the only reasonable option at these prices.