The Monitor Audio Airstream 10 brings my internet radio collection to three, and is my first foray away from Roberts.
Out of the box, the first impression is one of solidity - it is reassuringly heavy, and it soon becomes clear that this is a very tactile machine. Who wants to listen to it when caressing it gives such pleasure?
Setting up is simple, rendering the supplied handbook unnecessary to all except those who are novices with such equipment. Mine was set up in little more time than it takes to make a cup of coffee.
In use, the unit maintains consistency in simplicity, with all controls doing exactly as you would expect. The buttons surrounding the volume/selector control are multi-function, some of which become redundant for certain modes. The backlight is crisp, bright and modern, and entices you like a temptress.
So how does it sound? Very pleasing and highly capable - there are no compromises here, and while I hesitate to use the word awesome, the way that the sound permeates throughout my (large) house is truly astonishing, and is the reason I have put this review together.
I believe that the Airstream 10 is a design classic, and at the right price, worthy of buying just as an ornament. But it does have flaws. The connections at the side seem to have been an afterthought. I would have preferred a rotatable block in the middle, so that cabling would be kept at the rear in either orientation. As it is, the finely balanced unit lifts slightly under the weight of the power and line-out cables, quite apart from spoiling the lines on the right.
There are expanses of black at the front (vertical orientation) and top (horizontal) which should display the omega shaped Monitor Audio logo in a high gloss black finish, to add the slightest of flourishes to an otherwise outstanding design.
Well done Monitor Audio - and thank you.