I use Roon and an Innuos Zenity MK3. Very satisfied.
I do not install the core on the streamer. I have a separate core. The thinking is that you want the core processing to happen on a different machine that the streaming is done. I do intend to install a core on the streamer and test it myself but haven't yet.
Another advantage of a seperate core is you can install Roons Root Kit that is much more reliable than putting Roon inside a Windows environment.
As for "roon ready", I'm never sure what to think of that. I know Aurender sees Roon as a competitor and you can't run roon with Aurender.
On my Innuos, the streamer appears transparent to Roon and Roon sees the DAC. I have had this experience with other streamers and DACs so I'm not sure how important "roon ready" is (except for Aurender).
Jerry