I think something @TylersEclectic 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 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.
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.
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).
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?
The FA12 looks great, but it’s power ratting is to low for my needs, at 50ohm’s your have 1.7Watts, which is a lot for most headphones, just not for the Susvara. I am thinking about grabbing the FA10 Pro instead. I just wish there were measurements out for it before I decide to pull the trigger.
However, given this company has a very good reputation already for building solid quality products. I am debating just going a head and buying the FA10 Pro regardless, the price is great, the power is great, the specs listed seem great, I don’t think I could lose.
What’s awesome that I found is when the FA12 was measured it over performed. Which tells me they are underrating their AMP’s to play it safe.
I thought it drove the HE6se fine, which are similarly stubborn to drive as the Susvara. Though, I’d go with the FA-10 over it for the HE6 (never tried with the Susvara due to timing). Don’t know how it measures (not my thing) but sound wise, I think it compliments the stage, imaging, and separation of the the HE6 very well.
Congrats on your purchase. I’d recommend reaching out to them (info@fluxlab-acoustics.com), they were pretty good at giving me a range when they would ship.
Some of the time will depend on Customs but it took about a week for me to get mine on the east coast.
