You cannot put pedals of any kind in front of a Roccaforte! You will blow it up if you try!! For using one as a guitar > amp setup, they are great, great amplifiers, but I find the volume control to not have a wide enough range (it's either LOUD or OFF), and even the High Gain version will not really distort like a Splawn will (just to pick a high gain amp at random, as I know the Splawn's tone).
I'm not sure if you're looking for that classic, 80s metal tone. If you aren't, then stay away from the Splawn.
Given what you're asking for, I would suggest:
Matamp GT-1
Komet
Mojave
A very versatile amp, though with a more modern voicing, that you should also look into is the Diezel VH-4.