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Great sounding amp for a bargain.
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Monitor Audio Airstream A100 reviewwhathifi.com/monitor-audio/airstream-a100/reviewA brave design that performs to a high standard a worthy rival to NADs D3020 Tested at 400By What Hi-Fi? December 02, 2014 Review Our VerdictA brave design that performs to a high standard a worthy rival to NADs D3020ForBrave form factorComposureAirPlayUSB, optical and analogue performanceAgainstNo BluetoothAirPlay needs stabilityEver since we first tested the Airstream A100, we’ve been itching to pit this hi-res, AirPlay-streaming, integrated amplifier against its peers.DesignStereo amplifiers have come in conventional 43cm-wide rectangular casework for as long as we can remember.Sure, there have been companies such as Cyrus that have strayed from the standard formula but not many. Its a bit of a surprise that Monitor Audio has been so brave with the A100s styling.Like its equally ambitious arch-rival the identically priced NAD D3020 this amp tries to take integrated amplifier design forward. It can sit flat or perched upright on a plinth.Used upright, it looks right at home next to a computer or even a TV. Of course you can put it on a normal equipment rack, but somehow that feels as though it defeats the point of going for something that looks so radical.FeaturesGet past the appearance and youll find a forward-looking product that recognises the fact an increasing number of hi-fi fans use their phones, tablets and computers for music replay.To that end, Monitor Audio has sided with Apple and incorporated AirPlay. Apparently it tried to include Bluetooth too, but at the time Apple wouldnt allow AirPlay and Bluetooth to feature on the same product.Apple has since softened its stance on this, and thats why there are now products on the market with both features.Apples AirPlay needs both source and amplifier to be connected to a network.This is easily done. This amp can only connect to the network wirelessly, needing your Apple device to send it the network settings once the two are wired together through the USB input next to the power button. It only takes a minute and, provided your home network is stable, it works well.If you dont have a network dont worry. You can connect your iOS device via what Monitor Audio calls Airstream Direct. It gives away the multi-room ability of AirPlay, but its a good solution for those that want to use only a single source and amp.Monitor Audio has been careful not to put all its eggs into the AirPlay basket. The A100 also supports DLNA streaming, meaning third-party DLNA apps for Android and Windows can be used for playback. Using DLNA the A100 can stream (up to) 24-bit/192kHz files.This amplifier has a built-in DAC. Its accessible through an optical input (limited to 24-bit/96kHz music files) as well as through the front USB if using an Apple device.This USB connection also charges the device. Theres a single stereo analogue input too, as well as a preamp output that could be used to record from or fed into a subwoofer should you feel the need for more bass oomph than your speakers provide.Build qualityBuild quality is generally sturdy. The amp is made of a combination of metal and plastic with glass end-caps.On the whole it looks smart and feels pretty solid, though one of the end caps on our review sample came off. It was easily reattached and is now secure, so well put that down to ours being one of the first off the production line.The amplifiers speaker terminals feel of good quality and are spring-loaded to make connecting with bare wire easier. The curved shape of the casework and its extended rear lip makes this a little more awkward than it should be.PerformanceWhen it comes to sound quality it makes the most sense to start with AirPlay performance, and the results are good. Provided you have a stable network everything works slickly.Its fair to say we havent been great fans of AirPlay sound quality and theres nothing about this amplifier that changes that opinion, but its obvious the company has tried hard to make the most of the connection. Theres less of the hard electronic edge we normally hear, and detail levels are fine.The result is a lively and entertaining performance that allows us to sit back and enjoy the likes of Johnny Cashs Solitary Man. Theres a good sense of detail and energy, with Cashs grave vocals coming through with a pleasing dose of emotion.It’s a captivating listen, but it’s not perfect. The Monitor Audio is so intent on delivering the most revealing, refined sound it can, that it forgets to have a little fun.We’d like a bit more punch to the rhythm and a touch more fluidity, It’s here that the NAD’s bite and ffree-flowing dynamics are a whole lot more fun.This is a 50W-per-channel amplifier Monitor Audio has chosen to stick with traditional Class A/B circuitry rather than the more fashionable Class D alternative on performance grounds and it seems to have paid off.The A100 may look like a style-based product but its capable of proper hi-fi sound too.Its the switch to stereo analogue that confirms that impression. We start off with Orffs Carmina Burana from our reference Naim NDS streamer and are impressed with this Monitor Audios punch.It delivers large-scale dynamics with a surprising degree of composure. Theres no shortage of volume either. We used a range of speakers from Q Acoustics Concept 20s and B&Ws 685 Mk2s up to our reference ATC SCM 50s (just for fun, you understand) and this little amplifier takes it all in its stride.This Monitor Audio delivers an unusually wide soundstage and populates it with a decent amount of precision. Were impressed by its refinement too.This quality isnt bought at the expense of treble bite, with the highs being delivered with a good amount of sparkle. The tonal balance is nicely even, with no part of the frequency range dominating.We switch music to something less cultured and end up with The Dead Weathers 60 Feet Tall. We like the A100s bass weight and grip, as well as its ability to keep the songs coarse signature in check.By the highest standards at this price at the moment we rate the Marantz PM6005 the best-sounding amplifier at this kind of money there isnt quite the rhythmic precision or drive to make the most of the song, but the result is still enjoyable.We try the optical input connected to our resident MacBook and continue to be impressed.We listen to a range of music from Beethovens Moonlight Sonata to Kanye Wests New Slaves and the Monitor Audio acquits itself with honour. It sounds insightful and composed, with enough in the way of drive and dynamics to satisfy.VerdictBut for this price it’s a brave product that performs well and can be used in situations where conventional alternatives wouldnt even get a look-in. For that alone it deserves plenty of credit.
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