I hybridized my Giant Yukon with an Alivio 26/36/48 crankset with 175mm cranks and an 11-32 9-speed cassette with new shifters to match. I've got Bontrager H2 eco 1.5 x 26 tires on Alex 36-spoke rims. I find it to be a very decent fitness/touring bike and a heavy, but adequate bike for non-competitive group rides. I too am looking to add a road bike to the garage.

From what I see your current setup isn't bad for a MTB turned hybrid. Maybe a swap to a 48 or 50-tooth chainring if one is available, but that isn't going to make a huge difference. The sad truth is that a MTB hybrid isn't going to perform like a mid-level road bike. I considered using the Mavic brake conversion kit to put 700c wheels on, but the difference in performance wouldn't be that huge and I decided I was better off putting the money away for a true road bike and just enjoying my hybrid for what it is.