Biggest impact: moving from integrated to separates

This looks to be an easy decision to me. I would look for a dedicated line stage as your next step. Do you want new or is used ok? Remember you will need 

@robd2h , thanks. I am fine with used or new. Perks of new would be a forgiving return policy in most cases. Perks of used would be buying up a few levels at my budgeted price. 

Where are you located? It really is best to work with a dealer who lets you take home gear for in home demo. I've actually set a rule for myself that I can't by any expensive gear without hearing it in my system first as system synergy is very very important. But I'm lucky to have many dealers close by. Well the rule is mostly enforced : )))

The dealers also have demo gear that you can negotiate very well on. 

Some other thoughts
-Thoughts on the new Pass xp-12?
-I'm not a big fan of the expensive McIntosh preamps but the newer c47 is a great piece and you would get a good DAC. 
- with the c47 you could do a fun shootout with your new pass phono.
- an older Ayre preamp would be very nice
- my personal favorite and this would be tough to do for price range but not impossible. VAC makes an entry level line stage that really impressed me when I had it home for a 2 week demo. I liked it so much I bought one of their more $$$$ lines stages. This would be a tough deal though because of your budget. But if you could find a dealers demo with no phono and you come up some extra $ ....

Just for fun do some research on the bigger VAC "instruments".