good DAC, unripened Netzwerkplayer

The Airdac sounded like the product, after I have been looking for: A high-quality digital-to-analog converter to convert my digital music collection into analog signals with which my analog amplifier can do something, and at the same time a network player, the UPnP and AirPlay speaks ,
Even the box containing the Airdac made a prima impression because he was surprisingly heavy. This impression deepened when unpacking: The Airdac is a very high-quality processed, solid piece of equipment.
I hooked him immediately via an Ethernet cable in my network - it worked right away; WLAN but it can also, both as a client, as well as an independent access point. The analog output is connected using the supplied RCA cable to the analog amplifier. Thus, the hardware configuration was first completed. (But you can also digital source devices, such as like connect a CD drive or, with optical or coaxial cable to the digital inputs.) As the Airdac except 4 LEDs has no control, you need a software to use it as a network player. Until a week ago was the songbook and was at least for iOS available (Android I do not know because I do not have Android devices), but the time of my purchase songbook had vanished, instead found himself an app called "Music Life" in the version 1.0 .0 on the App Store. I downloaded and launched. She immediately recognized my media server (a Synology NAS) and on existing music library appears. First piece selected, "Play" button, music came from the iPad. Ooops. Quick tap the AirPlay button, select the Airdac, bingo: The music came from the speakers and sound great. Perfect.
Overlooked I had the short emerging message that the Airdac can not play ALAC / AppleLossless and the audio file lossy why is converted to AAC (which I was not clear where the Kovertierung takes place: In the Music Life Software In AirDAC?). My music is mainly present in the Apple Lossless format, here I was so disappointed for the first time. I then tried FLAC files in resolutions: with CD resolution came AirDAC prima clear. A 24bit / 96kHz File he played also without complaint (and sounded nice!) From. A 24bit / 88.2kHz FLAC file he was not playing from: Again came the message that the Airdac this format can not play. Yikes?
On the website of ARCAM not find, unfortunately, a lot of information: a list of supported sound formats I have not found. There is a product flyer, where a resolution ("Resolution") of up to 192kHz is talk in the technical data but in the same flyer is something of "sample rates: 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2, 96 kHz ". Apparently the 192kHz apply to the converter component of the device if you connect the digital source directly to the Airdac, but the network streaming component can only 96kHz. Hmmm. Could a clear stand on the site. And why can not the network players in Airdac FLAC files with 24bit / 96kHz processing, but not with 88.2kHz?
Then it was annoying: I have tried with iTunes music to send to the AirDAC, could choose via Airplay as a monitor him, but there were no sounds from the speaker. Apparently the airplay "input" of Airdac was still occupied, though I had stopped the Airplay playback in the Music Life App. After some waiting we went suddenly; But how long must this waiting time, is nowhere.
Then I wanted music not ship with Airplay to Airdac but via UPnP (for airplay is limited to 16bit / 48kHz). The "Audio Station" Software my Synology media server offered me as an output device both "Airdac (Airplay)" as well as "Airdac (UPNP)". But the same file that could be played easily via Airplay, could not play by UPNP. Higher-resolution files and other formats also did not play from.
In any case, can not be recognized, the protocol uses just the Airdac: Indeed, there are only LEDs for network, optical input, coaxial input and Airplay, a lack of UPNP and DLNA. (And if just comes no signal, the LED for the not connected optical input lights up when my Airdac red - in my opinion it would be better, as the LEDs for the Coaxialeingang and airplay).

Ever the documentation is poor - you realize that ARCAM is first time a traditional hi-fi manufacturer, and not an IT producer. Maybe a support forum or a kind of Knowledge Base on the website would clarify many questions?

I also find it very honorable to design a device that transparently as possible digital signals of matter accepts what source, high converts and forwards them to the amplifier, and that you want to do it without any control on the device - but then should work the software ; or at least should be the configuration interface, which you can call to the Web server, offer more options, so you can intervene if something goes wrong.

Overall, I gained the impression that the Airdac is a very good DAC, but that the firmware for the network player does not work sufficiently robust. Excluding digital source devices directly to the optical or coaxial digital input, the device sends an impressively transparent, detailed and spacious sound to the amplifier. The network player functions but have been rather frustrated than satisfied me. My conclusion: in theory a great product, but practically not mature.