Biggest impact: moving from integrated to separates

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

Why the assumption that separates under $3K will significantly outperform the Cronus? Bryston and Musical Fidelity would be a lateral move at best. 

One of the many myths of audio is that you need separate chassis for ultimate performance. I've heard integrateds that go toe to toe with $30K monoblocks, while doing it with a lower noise floor.

I tend to agree with @helomech.  As a CMII owner, I have inevitably wondered what it would be like to replace it with an RP-5 and Stereo 100, but until I get a chance to hear that combo, I’ve concluded that the difference would in all likelihood be quite small.

I agree that at a $3000 budget it would be difficult to do better than the Cronus via separates or another integrated. Different sure, but better?

@helomech @mesch Thanks for your replies. I am looking for separates with balanced connections which the CM does not have. My listed budget of $3K does not mean that I think this is what it will take to best the CM, it's really just my budget.

When I have spoken with Rogue previously, I asked what the built-in phono pre would be on par with price wise. They said it's on par with a $400 phono pre. My upgrade to a Pass Labs XP-15 was transformative, albeit, at a much higher price point ($2,400.) As I peel away what I am using the CM for into separates, I am looking to achieve this type of transformative performance.

I should also clarify, my budget of $3K is for either a line stage preamp OR an amp, not both.