Integrated Amplifier for Sonus Faber Guarneri Evolution

Agree with the DAC and streamer upgrades.  

Subs are good, but are you taking the LF load off the amp and main speakers?  That is where the real improvements come at anything above background levels. 

 You may not like the response Dirac tries for.  You might be better off playing with the eq settings in your player if you have them.   My new crossovers are flatter and a bit better phase than the previous ones. In my room, they were now way too bright which makes music lose the impact.  Backed off the treble, and the dynamics came back. 

A used Diablo 300! Power, finesse and great bass.

Your question is also dependent on your preferences. I approached purchasing a system by first buying an integrated amplifier. At the time, I wanted the simplicity of an integrated. The McIntosh MA12000 had just been released to positive reviews, so that was my first purchase. I auditioned them with Sonus Farber and Klipsch.  The S.F. Sounded great, but the Klipsch wasn’t to my liking.  I then visited local McIntosh dealers to listen to speakers in the $10-20K range with this amplifier. I really liked what I heard with Sonus Farber and Wilson. I ended up going with the Sabrina X, but I loved the Sonus Farbers. I like the McIntosh house sound and through the S.F.s the results were very musical to my ears. Dealers that carry Sonus Farber and McIntosh are pretty easy to find and likely they can also provide alternatives to the McIntosh.

…coincidence! The unit I recommended is in our neck of woods. Maybe you can borrow the unit (with a deposit) and try it out in your system.

skc

Anecdotes and hyperbole.  Caveat emptor.