New prices for upgrade programme to Expert Pro with Core Infinity

[Greg]

What you get with the upgrade is a 220 so a little bit more power with some improvements associated with that, possibly better wifi reception due to an external antenna, Roon Ready capability which lets you stream using Roon's RAAT protocol, and a new 5 year guarantee.

Since you are using Roon you'll see the 220 show up as a Roon Ready endpoint in Roon's audio settings as well as it showing up as an AIR endpoint if you're using an ethernet or wifi input on the 220, and you'll see a bit more information displayed in the Signal Path display in Roon depending on whether you're using the 220's tone controls and/or SAM.

How much benefit the streaming changes offer a Roon user depends on whether you want to use the 220 as a Roon Ready end point or not. If you're currently using AIR and continue to use AIR there is no benefit to them. AIR functions identically with the 220 as it does with the 200.  Some have reported better sound quality with the CI board but an element of personal preference is involved in that, as there is also in the issue of RAAT vs. AIR. There is a problem with RAAT over gigabit ethernet connections which has yet to be fixed but that problem does not exist with a 100 Mbps connection or over wifi.

There have been discussions of the benefits in a few threads here. Look at the threads for the 120/22O for early comments on sound quality when they were introduced prior to the CI board becoming available and at the threads about the CI board upgrade for changes in sound quality following the release of the CI board.

David, your thoughts reawaken my thoughts about the benefits of roon RAAT over roon Air. We discussed this at length previously and my recollection was that there was no conclusion on what is best. We were both in opposite camps at the time. It may be that difference was simply down to the presentation of our ancillary (Speakers) kit. However, with your unintentional promp, I am inclined to repeat the experiment and see if I have changed my mind. roon RAAT OR roon Air. What is the listening preference? It would be good for others to join in. Maybe I should start a new thread?