I’m also wondering what next steps to take in my digital sourcing. I use Roon almost exclusively. It’s in a headless mini (couldn’t tell you the last time I connected to a monitor to do anything with it, it just runs and runs and runs). Right now, I’m using HDMI out of the mini into an Oppo 205 as the ‘endpoint’ (I think that’s the right term), and then into the processor. I like that setup for when I’m watching/playing a disc, which is rare, as it means the connections and inputs don’t change. I can use the Oppo as the DAC and listen via the balanced outputs, or use the processors DAC by using the HDMI output that’s always connected anyway. Both the mini and the Oppo have Ethernet connections to the router (internet comes into the house right next the equipment rack). While I tend to be a ‘buy once, cry once’ buyer, I’m more interested in incremental steps for this to see what difference each change will make, while maintaining the reliability and ease of use I have now. Therefore I’m reading this thread and others with great interest, while at the same time trying not to get lost in the technical aspect…I get lost there very easily.
thanks to all that have posted their preferences and experiences so far.