Flux Labs Acoustics

Headphone/DAC/DAP/Amp Brands
#21

Welcome to the forum!

I think something @DarthPool said kinda resonates with my thought between the two… the Phonitor kinda gets out of the way, where I think the FA-10 drives. I don’t think either colors anything and I may argue that the Flux is cleaner and, while the stage on the Phonitor is good, the Flux bests it. Each lend themselves well to different types of headphones and preference. The Phonitor has more features and a far better pot on it (it’s probably my favorite of all the pots so far). Neither are going to give that low end that you may find in some other amps (iFi, Schiit, etc).

For planars (well, Audeze ones I’ve tried it with so far at least), I’d take the FA-10 hands down over the Phonitor. They love that class-A power and I don’t think I’ve heard my LCD-X sound better. It should be noted that I’m a sucker for soundstage and the FA-10 has it better than most amps I’ve heard.

I haven’t heard the FA-12 yet but maybe soon :open_mouth:

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#22

I don’t think there are many people who have had experiences with the FA-12 with harder to drive planars. I think most people who have picked up that model are fine using dynamics with it. Now I won’t say that the FA-12 can’t drive it but the FA-10 for sure can drive the LCD-4. If you do decide to get a FA-12 though, I would be interested to hear your impressions. I believe the FA-12 is more attractive since it’s fully Class A and balanced but when I was considering the two, the FA-10 seemed to be more versatile and made the most sense to me at the moment.

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#23

I ordered one (FA-12); hopefully I’ll get it before the holidays to play with. I’m curious some of the differences between the two and how drastic they will be. I think, if it only sacrifices power for warmth, I’ll really like it. I have a pair of HE6se to give it a test out with some stubborn to drive cans. :slight_smile:

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#24

Hey, did the FA-12 ever come in? I recently purchased a HE6-se myself and I am looking into amplification.

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#25

Yessir, it did. it powers them just fine. I prefer it with the FA-10 but that’s more to do with sound sig than ability to drive.

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#26

Would love your thoughts on the differences.

#27

My quick thoughts on differences before I run to my next meeting:
FA-10 - More stage, imagining, separation, detail; bass is tight but can feel like; more a neutral-bright sound sig to me.
FA-12 - Better low end energy and more intimate in sound, tho not narrow. More dynamic to me (probably due to the low end energy).

Both have pretty black backgrounds.

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#28

I should add that the FA-10 maybe has the widest stage of any SS amp I’ve heard. It’s interesting, not for everyone tho.

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#29

I’m also deliberating between the 10 and the 12. I don’t have anything too hard to drive, VC and Arya… I do want something that would tame the treble on the Arya a little, would you say the 12 would do that better?

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#30

Honestly, can’t say. I’d rather say that than guess :slight_smile:

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#31

Flux FA-12 measurements (for those interested, understand it’s not for everyone on this forum):

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#32

Even for us that don’t look into measurements too much it’s always great to have choice and for the information to be there. Thanks.

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