dumbeat, congratulations! How lovely that you seem enamored of the sound. Kudos on making a change, one that I feel is superior to the suggestions of inserting a device to manipulate the sound. Imo you would have altered the sound, but not had the sea change you obtained. There would have been serious costs in terms of performance associated with that route. Imo you chose the correct route and found gratification.
I do not wish to argue with you about this, but I am going to return to my original recommendation. Now, change cables and you'll have a great sound. There is still room for your rig to improve in terms of dynamics, resolution, timbre, etc. I don't have to hear it to know that; it's a fact about all home systems that have not been fully tuned. :) You are not there yet, you have a ways to go. Don't think for second that it cannot get better. That would be fallacious thinking. :)
If you think the amp shocked you, wait until you try cables. A loom of cables can confer as much change, or in certain instances, even more than an amp. As I have done dozens upon dozens of such changes, you are getting guidance from someone who knows what the effects can be.
You wrote off my recommendation the first time; maybe now that you are shocked at what simply replacing an amp can do you will be more open to it.
Maybe you can find an audiophile nearby who can visit and bring cables, so there will be no cost associated with exploring the option.
Your experience with the insertion of the amp is common to audiophiles who work with their system. Those who explore discover, and often find a euphoric result. It's a great feeling and gratifying. Once again, congratulations! :)
