Weak Link in chain as I upgrade from mid-fi?

what is the best solution to getting some controlled but blended oomph in the lower octaves?

Good question and kinda where I was going. Possibly the most impactful and immediate improvement you could make would be to add a pair of good subs — yes, definitely a pair as it improves performance markedly and makes it easier to deal with room issues. I’d suggest a pair of SVS SB1000 Pro subs you can get for $1150, and they offer a truly risk-free, 45-day trial (including shipping both ways) so if they don’t completely rock your world — but they totally will — just return them. The SB1000 Pro is a pretty small sub so won’t dominate your room, gets you down to an honest 20Hz that basically gives you a true full-range system, come with their own integration software that makes seamlessly dialing them in much easier, and SVS provides excellent customer support if you ever need help/suggestions. What many don’t realize about subs is that they not only greatly improve bass, but you’ll find when properly set up your entire soundstage will expand in all directions, imagining will improve, and even your mids and treble will sound better. And as a bonus, as you’ve got a combined system the subs will transform watching TV/movies into a completely different and much more involving experience. Frankly, and especially since you seem to like your sound already, adding a couple subs is so impactful it might cause you to forget the itch to upgrade for a while.

When you do decide to upgrade I’d start with both the integrated and speakers together as they need to play well together, and at 90Wpc your Arcam will struggle to drive most better speakers sufficiently or get the best out of them. Anyway, hope this helps somewhat, and best of luck.

I would like to spin what @drbond said.

You have lots of opportunities to improve the sound incrementally and then a big bump when you get to the end of the next upgrade cycle.

‘’It looks like all your components are very roughly of the same caliber… great.

So, it appears you like Sonus Faber sound… I do to (see my systems). I am on my third set, upgrading from old used to new higher level. Each provided a great bump up in performance. I would start there.

So, the question would be how big a jump? I upgrade to a new level about every seven years and take about a year or two to make the transition.

You want to put in no less than 2x the cost in each component… less is likely to be disappointing.

For the first upgrade, I would recommend speakers…. Wait ~ six months… then DAC. Then wait ~ six months upgrade integrated (preamp and amp only… no other stuff). Then streamer.

Unless, you have some compelling reason to add analog I would not… this just dilutes your investment in the core stuff.

Even if you cannot have a dedicated audio room… keep the 2-channel audio separate from the home theater (get a sound bar for the TV). Otherwise your 2-channel is going to be tremendously compromised… or you’ll need to spend 3x on the whole thing or more and still have a compromised 2-channel system..

Get the best speakers you can. Olympica are fantastic… I had a pair for nearly 10 years.

Think roughly about 35% on speakers, 35% on integrated, 15% DAC, and 15% on streamer. Worry about cables and cords after you have landed on your ideal components.

Recommended brands:

Speakers: Sonus Faber

Integrated: used, Audio Research or Pass

Streamer: Aurender used N100… new N150

DAC: Schiit - Yggdrasil

If you are able to pull off the above upgrades over whatever time frame… you are going to have an system performing at levels above what you have now. Each step should provide great satisfaction. Get to know each new piece as you get them and save for the next.

Then you can get into interconnects, cables and subwoofers.

Focus on the room first. What can you do to improve your room acoustics.

As you go up the food chain in audio you will find the room play a bigger role than it does with low/mid-fi gear. Just something to think about.

@zander024 I applaud you on recognizing the journey.  Enjoy it.

I concur on starting with improving your speakers and make it a significant upgrade.  I like Sonus faber and have owned the Sonetto Vs and really enjoyed them.  I also upgraded to the Olympica Nova Vs and it was a significant improvement.

Why do I say upgrade the speakers first?  You have a complete system - if you start with your speakers you'll get an upgrade now and you'll be able to appreciate upgrade of your source (DAC/Streamer) next and then amplification.

Good luck on your journey!

Buy a good dedicated dac like the Denafrips terminator2  night and day better 

sound , even witha newer computer with SS drives, the source is where your system makes or breaks the audio signal your system has very low quality digital 

this upgrade you can guarantee 150% !!