What is considered the simplest ROON end-point device that facilities only a LAN input and a USB output (to do to a DAC, perhaps via a DDC).
Thanks in advance.
A raspberry pi, running RoPieee.
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I have three in Akasa cases, they are wonderful, easy to maintain and supported well.
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Thanks - would this solution be classed as ROON Ready? i.e. officially supported?
Otherwise I was considering something like the iFi Zen Stream, as they also make a play as to the quality of the signal via its circuitry etc.
Akasa cases are good. Yet it can’t let let Pi to use better clock.
FYI, that’s my recent modification. 
https://community.roonlabs.com/t/a-new-and-modified-pi-4-for-endpoint-of-a-new-roon-user/255542
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This is all the information that you need. I have a NUC and three Pi/Ropiee endpoints, they all light up as lossless in the playback information, two feed Chord DAC’s and one feeds a Roksan DAC.
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the NAD CS1 has ethernet & digital out but only coax.
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It is not Roon Ready it would need Roon Bridge installing. Roon Ready is only for purpose built network steaming devices that the OEM has Roons SDK embedded into their system so It’s fully integrated and transparent . Roon Bridge allows any computer to be fully certified Roon endpoints but they are DiY and lack some of the more integrated functions of Roon Ready device but this does not affect anything to do with performance.
You can get the Wiim Pro which is as simple and cheap as they come to connect to an external DAC by coax, or spend more depends on what you want and the quality of build and other features. A raspberry pi is limited in what it can offer over all in regards to having other services available.
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Although the Raspberry Pi is not Roon Ready, it should be noted that a number of Raspberry Pi hats from Allo, HiFi Berry, and IQaudIO are. These are only complete products when combined with a Raspberry Pi and Roon Bridge–a DIY project.
So, to answer @Oliver_Buxton’s question, yes, a Raspberry Pi running Roon Bridge is an officially supported Roon endpoint AKA network streamer.
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They are not Roon Ready they are still classed as just Roon as they are bridges, they do not come under Roon Ready section they are just known to Roon they do not contain any Roon API/SDK its just Roon Bridge. Roon Ready has its own complete section and they do not show under this. I have had Hifiberry for many years, they just get nice artwork like Roon tested devices.
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I see the error of my ways, mine has never shown as Roon Ready as its an Amp2 which isn’t in their list although drives for it are same as DAC+Ropieee identifies as DAC+/DAC+Pro/Amp2. Roon sees it as an unidentified DACplus for some reason. It is the DAC+ with extra amp bit.
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What is the link to this information out of interest. Thank you!
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Any thoughts with this: https://www.stereonet.com/uk/reviews/metrum-acoustics-ambre-review
Its expensive so it must be good…?
That’s my first thought!
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I use 2 Raspberry Pi’s, one with a HifiBerry and 1 with an Ian Canada FiFoPi. The one with the HifiBerry is used in a DIY DAC / amplifier kit. The RPi is connected with a LAN cable to my network, where I have also Roon Core installed on a dedicated computer. The other is build in my high end DIY DDDAC, with other Ian Canada parts to have SP/DIF, streaming and USB inlets. That option is far from cheap, but probably one of the best DIY DAC’s around.
The OP asked for the simplest end-point, not the cheapest or best value. Raspberry Pi is a great sounding, versatile, small-form, inexpensive choice but it is far from the simplest. I would recommend Sonore UltraRendu if you have the budget. Or shop around for a used MicroRendu, which can be found for not much more than the RaspPi. If budget is a concern, consider one of the WiiM products, which are basically plug and play, unlike the RaspPi.
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All Exasound products! I am very happy with them