The DS-A101-G is a streaming integrated amplifier by ELAC that delivers 40 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 80 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. It was released in 2018. It is a 2-channel design using a Class A/B output stage. A minimum impedance of 2 ohms makes it compatible with a wide range of loudspeakers. It has a built-in DAC, so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. The ELAC DS-A101-G has an MSRP of $850.
Performance Specs
One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements. The ELAC DS-A101-G is rated at 40 watts RMS into 8-ohms. ELAC provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.03% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 40 watts into 8-ohms at 0.03%
- 80 watts into 4-ohms
- 101dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 40 watts actually play in your room? →
Wiring more than one pair of speakers to it? Check the load first →
Which speakers suit the ELAC DS-A101-G?
40 W into 8 ohms, 80 W into 4, rated down to 2 ohms.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
ELAC DS-A101-G is rated at 40 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our Up to 60 watts band. The next band up is 61 to 90 watts, which is worth about 3.9dB more output. That is a real difference in headroom on peaks, and a modest one in how loud the system plays - power and loudness are not the same thing.
Before buying watts, check what your speakers actually need: the amp and speaker matcher works it out from their sensitivity, impedance and your room.
When pairing the ELAC DS-A101-G with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels.
Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.
What size of room is the ELAC DS-A101-G Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the ELAC DS-A101-G amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:
| Listening Environment |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Good |
| Small Room | Good |
| Mid-size Room | Average |
| Large Room | Poor |
| Very Large Room | No way |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the ELAC DS-A101-G, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
ELAC DS-A101-G has total of 2 Analog inputs .
ELAC DS-A101-G Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
- 1 Optical Digital Input
- 1 Coaxial Digital Input
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs
- Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
- Subwoofer Output (1)
Bluetooth Connectivity
ELAC DS-A101-G features built-in Bluetooth 4.0 for wireless music streaming from your Bluetooth-enabled devices such as Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet, Windows PC, Mac computers/laptops.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
Phono Input
ELAC DS-A101-G doesn't have a phono input so in order to play your vinyl albums, ELAC DS-A101-G has to be paired with a Phono Preamp that is MM (Moving Magnet) or/and MC (Moving COil) depending on your cartridge type.
Subwoofer Output
ELAC DS-A101-G has a dedicated subwoofer output which can be used to connect it directly to a powered subwoofer via an LFE(Low Frequency Effects) cable.
Check our
Powered Subwoofers page to find a subwoofer that will work with ELAC DS-A101-G amp and your speakers.
DAC and Digital Music
The ELAC DS-A101-G's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC.
ELAC DS-A101-G Handheld Remote
ELAC DS-A101-G External Dimensions and Weight
ELAC DS-A101-G has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 2-1/2inch x 8-7/16inch x 13-5/8inch (64.0mm x 215.0mm x 347.0mm ). The unit weighs
2.18 kg (4.8 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the ELAC DS-A101-G is approximately 746.1cm2 / 115.6inch2.
- Width: 215.0mm (8-7/16")
- Height: 64.0mm (2-1/2")
- Depth: 347.0mm (13-5/8")
- Weight: 2.18 kg (4.8 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~746.1cm2 / 115.6inch2
- Volume: ~4.8 liter / 1.3 gallon
ELAC DS-A101-G screen
What's in the Box of ELAC DS-A101-G?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of DS-A101-G:
- Integrated amplifier
- 4-feet AC power cord
- Remote control
- 2 AAA batteries
- 4 Banana-connectors
- Operating Instructions
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the ELAC Discovery Series DS-A101-G Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for ELAC DS-A101-G
Warranty
1 Year of parts warranty and 1 Year of labor warranty is generally provided for the ELAC DS-A101-G by the manufacturer.
| General |
| Brand |
ELAC |
| Full Model Name |
ELAC Discovery Series DS-A101-G |
| Release Date |
2018 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class A/B |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
40 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
80 watts |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
|
| THD |
0.03% |
| Minimum Impedance |
2 |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
101 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| Bluetooth |
Yes |
| WiFi |
802.11n |
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
No |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
No |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
No |
| Roon |
Ready |
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
2 |
| Phono Input |
No |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
1 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
1 |
| USB Input |
No |
| Preamp Outputs |
Stereo RCA |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
No |
| Headphone Output |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
Yes |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 3-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
64.0mm (2-1/2") |
| Width |
215.0mm (8-7/16") |
| Depth |
347.0mm (13-5/8") |
| Weight |
2.18 kg (4.8 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Tone Controls |
Yes |
| Loudness Control |
Yes |
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |