The DMP-A8 truly is amazing for the money. I preferred it's analog outputs to the Octo 8 Stereo DAC (Stereophile Class A) but I prefer the PS Audio Perfect Wave Direct Stream to either. It just sounds more dynamic and real. I use the I2S out from the A8 to the DAC.
I already stream from Roon through the DMP-A8 and it works just fine. I guess maybe what you get when it becomes "Roon Ready" is album art and track info on the front screen. Idk.
The only streamer I would possibly trade the A8 for would be the HifiRose RS130.