About the Monitor Audio Airstream A100
Monitor Audio's first amp breaks the mold
Monitor Audio's first amp breaks the mold
No, it's not a cable box or a gaming console, though we'd forgive you for thinking so. When renowned speaker company Monitor Audio designed their first amplifier, they wanted to think outside the box. The result is the unique Airstream A100, an amp designed for the digital music age. Its cool, curved styling is just the tip of the iceberg. This integrated amp has built-in Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay, making it easier to get your music playing wirelessly from an iPhone® or a computer. It's also a well-made amp, great for driving stereo speakers in a small or medium-sized room.
With built-in Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, and its unique design, the Airstream A100 is far from a typical integrated amp.
Wireless music playback with AirPlay
When connected to your wireless home network, the sleek Airstream A100 offers numerous options for music listening. If you have an iPhone®, iPad®, or iPod touch®, AirPlay lets you wirelessly stream music stored on those devices, or from apps like Spotify®, Pandora®, and YouTube™. You can also play music from a computer running iTunes®, so your entire music library can be at your fingertips and easily controlled using Apple's Remote app. Don't have a Wi-Fi network? Use the 'A100's AirPlay Direct feature to create a direct connection between your Apple device and the amp for AirPlay playback.
More digital delights
The Airstream A100 is also DLNA compliant, so you can stream music from almost any PC or network-attached storage (NAS) device. DLNA also makes it possible to stream tunes from compatible Android™ devices using an optional app. There's also an optical digital input, so you can connect your TV and bypass its minuscule speakers for much richer sound with your stereo speakers. No matter your digital source, your music will benefit from the 'A100's upsampling digital-to-analog converter (DAC), which brings out more detail and depth from digital music files.
Praise for the Monitor Audio A100 integrated amp from Soundstage! Access
Some audio products blow you away with detail; others lull you into a relaxing stupor with a smooth, sultry sound. Monitor Audio's little Airstream A100 struck a fine balance, confidently striding precisely between these two camps. I was smitten by its sound -- at once rich yet detailed, smooth but with a hint of sparkle, and surprisingly neutral.
Monitor's Airstream A100 is a honey of an amp that makes a compelling argument for never having to buy into traditional hi-fi of yore. With analog, digital, and wireless connectivity, an accomplished class-AB amplifier -- something its competitors can't boast -- and sound quality that reaches well past its $499 price, it comes highly, highly recommended. $500 never sounded so good.
— From Hans Wetzel's December, 2014 review in Soundstage! Access, part of the SoundStage! Network [Read the full review]
Not everything is digital
The Monitor Audio Airstream A100 uses Class A/B amplification, for robust sound that can easily power most stereo speakers. If you need more power for hard-to-drive speakers or to fill a larger room with sound, there are stereo preamp outputs for connecting an external power amp. You can also use these outputs to beef up the bass with a separate powered subwoofer.
Product highlights:
- 50 watts x 2
- built-in Wi-Fi for easy connection to a wireless home network
- Apple AirPlay for streaming music from an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or computer running iTunes
- AirPlay Direct lets you make a direct wireless connection to the amp from a compatible iOS device no network router required
- DLNA 1.5 certified for streaming music with compatible devices and computers
- upsampling digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for enhanced resolution with lossy digital music files
- supported file formats: AAC, ALAC, MP3 (with AirPlay); FLAC, ALAC, AAC, LPCM, MP3, WMA, Ogg Vorbis (via DLNA or Airstream Direct connection)
- front-panel USB port for playback and charging of an iPod or iPhone
- Class A/B amplification
- unique curved chassis can rest horizontally or vertically in the included stand
- optical digital audio input
- analog stereo RCA inputs
- stereo preamp outputs for connection to a separate power amp or powered subwoofer
- spring-post speaker terminals
- remote control
- 14-1/8"W x 2-3/16"H x 8-1/16"D (resting horizontally)
- weight: 4.2 lbs.
- warranty: 2 years
- MFR # A100B
What's in the box:
Monitor Audio Airstream A100 owner's manual
- Integrated stereo amplifier
- 6' AC power cord
- Remote control
- Vertical stand
- Cable-strap
- Quick Start Guide
- Important Safety Instructions
- Battery Disposal Note
Customer reviews for Monitor Audio Airstream A100
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More details on the Monitor Audio Airstream A100
Features & specs
Performance Specs | ||
---|---|---|
Watts RMS per Channel (8-ohms) | 50 | |
Watts RMS per Channel (6-ohms) | Not given | |
Watts RMS per Channel (4-ohms) | Not given | |
Frequency Bandwidth | 20-20k | |
THD | Not given | |
Minimum Impedance | 4 ohms | |
Amplifier Class | AB | |
Signal to Noise Ratio | Not given | |
DAC Bit Depth | 24-bit | |
DAC Sample Rate | 96kHz | |
Features | ||
Built-in DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) | Yes | |
Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g | |
Built-in Radio Tuner | None | |
Room Correction | --- | |
High-res Audio Playback | ||
From Network | No | |
From USB Thumb Drive (USB-A) | No | |
From Computer (USB-B) | No | |
Bluetooth | ||
Version Info | N | |
Receiver Mode | No | |
Transmitter Mode | No | |
AAC Playback | No | |
aptX Playback | No | |
aptX-HD Playback | No | |
LDAC Playback | No | |
Connections | ||
RCA Line-level Inputs | --- | |
XLR Line-level Inputs | --- | |
Phono Input | No | |
Optical Digital Inputs | 1 | |
Coaxial Digital Inputs | No | |
USB Input | No | |
HDMI Inputs | --- | |
Stereo Preamp Outputs | --- | |
Subwoofer Outputs | 1 | |
Recording Output | No | |
HDMI Output | --- | |
Home Theater Bypass | No | |
Pre-out/Main-in Loop | No | |
Headphone Output | No | |
Removable Power Cord | --- | |
Streaming Compatibility | ||
Apple AirPlay | Yes | |
Apple AirPlay 2 | No | |
DTS Play-Fi | No | |
Chromecast built-in | No | |
Roon | No | |
HEOS | No | |
BluOS | No | |
Dimensions and Warranty | ||
Width (inches) | 14-1/8 | |
Height (inches) | 2-3/16 | |
Depth (inches) | 8-13/16 | |
Weight (pounds) | 4.2 | |
Parts Warranty | 2 Years | |
Labor Warranty | 2 Years |
Product Research
Features
50W x 2Ch Amplifier: The Monitor Audio AirStream A100 features a powerful Class AB power amplifier section rated at 50-watts x 2-channels into 8Ω at 20-20kHz.
High-Resolution DAC: The AirStream A100 employs a high-resolution DAC for audiophile quality sound from a variety of digital music files.
Source | Supported Music Files | |
---|---|---|
Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad | AirPlay | AAC, ALAC, MP3 |
AirStream | ||
USB | ||
DLNA-certified Devices | AAC, ALAC, MP3, FLAC |
Wireless Connectivity: The Monitor Audio AirStream A100 features built-in WiFi (802.11 b/g) for streaming audio from your AirPlay enabled Apple iOS devices and DLNA certified devices.
- AirPlay: AirPlay lets you stream your favorite songs directly from your Apple iPod touch/iPhone/iPad (iOS 4.3.3+) or from your iTunes library (10.2.2+) on your Windows PC or Mac computer to the Monitor Audio A100, over your home's wireless network. By downloading Apple's free Remote App onto your Apple iOS device, you don't even need to be in the same room as the components or your computer to play, pause, skip, and stop the songs in your iTunes music library.
- AirStream Direct: If you don't have a wireless WiFi router to
connect your Apple iOS using Airplay, simply use the A100's
AirStream Direct mode to still be able to stream music from your Apple iOS device to the Monitor Audio A100. Activating AirStream Direct mode creates a wireless network solely between the A100 and your Apple iOS device. If a telephone call is received while in AirStream Direct mode, music will pause and restart when the call is ended. While in AirStream Direct mode, cellular data will not function; so, iMessage, emails and mobile internet will not function simultaneously. More than one device can be connected in AirStream Direct mode, but only one device can play music in AirStream Direct mode. - DLNA Certified: The A100 also supports DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) streaming, allowing to access and enjoy digital music stored on your Windows PC, DLNA-compliant NAS drive, and most 3rd-party DLNA apps installed on your Android smartphone/tablet.
Apple Compliant USB Port: The A100's front-mounted USB (type-A) port can be used to connect your Apple iPod/iPhone device; including 30-pin or Lightning connector Apple devices. The USB port supports playback of stored music and music apps on your Apple device, basic playback controls (Play/Pause/Skip), and charging of your iPod/iPhone's battery.
Apple Device Compatibility Chart: The Monitor Audio A100 is "made for iPod/iPhone/iPad" and supports the following iPod/iPhone/iPad model functions (as of 8/8/2014).
Apple Device | Generation | Tested Version | Connector Type | Media Type | Control Type | Display Type | Charge | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USB | AirPlay | Audio | Video | Remote | iPod/iPhone | Artist/Song Tex | Track Info | ||||
iPad | 1 | 5.1.1 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
2 | 7.1.2 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | |
3 | 7.1.2 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | |
4/Air | 7.1.2 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | |
mini | 7.1.2 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
iPhone | 2G | 3.1.3 | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y |
3G | 4.2.1 | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
3GS | 5.1.1 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
4/4S | 7.1.2 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
5/5C/5S | 7.1.2 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
touch | 1st | 2.2.1 | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y |
2nd | 4.2.1 | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
3rd | 5.1.1 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
4th | 6.1.2 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
5th | 7.1.2 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
nano | |||||||||||
2nd/3rd | 1.1.3 | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
4th | 1.0.4 | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
5th | 1.0.2 | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
6th | 1.2 PC | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
7th | 1.02 PC | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
classic | 80GB | 1.1.2 | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y |
120GB | 2.0.1 | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | |
160GB | 2.0.4 | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y |
Analog & Digital Inputs: The Monitor Audio AirStream A100 is fitted with one optical (toslink) digital input and analog stereo (RCA) input for connecting external analog and digital audio devices.
Spring Post Speaker Terminals: The AirStream A100 is equipped with four spring post speaker terminals to connect a single pair of speakers. The spring post terminals will accept bare wire (up to 12AWG) and pin-connectors.
Preamp Output: The A100's stereo RCA preamp output can be used to connect an external power amplifier or powered subwoofer.
Simple Controls: Front panel controls and the A100's slender remote control provide effortless switching between all input sources, playback control for connected USB & DLNA devices, and system volume control.
Vertical or Horizontal Orientation: The Monitor Audio AirStream A100 can be mounted horizontally or vertically using the included vertical stand. The unit measures 3.6875" (w) x 12.875" (h) x 8.8125" (d) when vertically placed; see Specs for horizontal measurements.
Firmware Updates: Firmware and software updates can be installed via a wireless network connection or USB. Visit Monitor Audio's website for the latest firmware updates.
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Customer Q&A
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I have purchased this product to use for my patio. I am using it this with Definitive Technology AW6500 outdoor speakers, connected with my iPhone. The sound is clear and it rocks. So far, I have only used Airplay.
Anand from Flower Mound, TX