Best Bang for the Buck Upgrade

I was going to say speakers, but your last sentence tells me that you have a nice connection with them. The comment that you don’t think you’ve maxed out their potential indicates to me that you suspect that better amplification might be the ticket.

As our member soix would ask at this point, What sort of sonic signature is pleasing to you? What are you looking to hear that you’re not yet hearing?

If you can answer that question, and if the inference about you liking the speakers is correct, then some other amplification might be the path for upgrade.

That said, the DAC might be bettered, too. Again, it would depend on what you seek to hear. 

@mofojo:

As our member soix would ask at this point, What sort of sonic signature is pleasing to you? What are you looking to hear that you’re not yet hearing?

If you can answer that question, and if the inference about you liking the speakers is correct, then some other amplification might be the path for upgrade.

+1

I've seen comments on the forum asserting that upgrading amplification is not a way to gain major improvements but having just experienced the biggest improvement ever in my system after upgrading my integrated, I can't agree. It's become clear that my speakers are much better than I ever realized. If you like your speakers, I'd also suggest you seriously consider upgrading your amp as one possible path forward. 

I'd look at a pair of nice subwoofers and some basic room treatments, if you don't have any, yet.

Given the speaker quality and you like them. Probably the DAC… it will improve the transport sound quality and set you up when you do go to streaming… today streaming can equal or exceed the SQ of a transport.

Long term improving systems are typically done by choosing the first component that will give you a big boost… and upgrade it to the next level… then bring up the other components. So first DAC, then integrated amp ~$10K new… Streamer ~$5K… then your system would be at a whole new level, taking advantage of your speakers.  Assuming each choice carefully made.

Is is a tough one. You have a very nice system already. I hate to say it but since everything is well sorted you have no choice but to change loudspeakers to get to the next level. It's going to stretch your budget to get to the next step.