14 DAY TRIAL // Ever since Apple rolled out its iOS 4.2 update (with 4.3 heading our way pretty fast), we've been looking pretty hard for high-end solutions featuring AirStream technology, and one of the most noteworthy we've come across is the AS-400 from Micromega, an integrated amplifier that allow users to stream audio from their Apple device to any high-end hi-fi system. The AS-400 is the first integrated amplifier from Micromega to benefit from AirStream technology, available via a completely new AirStream module built on Apple Airport Express and capable of providing, at least according to the manufacturer, a very impressive music reproduction quality.
The AS-400 delivers a 16Bits / 44.1 kHz sample rate (inherent to iTunes software, a frequency range of 0Hz – 20kHz, as well as a signal to noise ratio + THD of -100dB to 1kHz and a 110dB to 1kHz dynamic range.
The AirStream solution supports the streaming of AAC, AIFF, Apple Lossless, MP3, WMA, WAV audio files, works on 2,4 or 5 GHz ranges and is compliant with the 802.11n IEEE standards.
Furthermore, the amplifier packs 1 phono input (18mV/47kΩ sensitivity/impedance), 4 stereo analog inputs (280mV/100kΩ sensitivity/impedance each), as well as a headphone output (Front), monitor loop, sub-input pass-through and sub-out (if you're curious to find out more specific technical details, you can check them out here).
It's also important to point out that the Micromega AS-400 will take some space wherever you might decide to place it, given the fact that it measures 430 x 95 x 370 mm and weighs around 13 kilos, which probably means that you won't carry it around too much.
Pricing for the Micromega AS-400 amplifier has been set at around 1,775 US dollars (or its equivalent in other currencies around the world), which is not exactly a small sum, but it's most likely worth it, given the enhanced audio experience it will provide for all the iPhone and iPad owners out there.