Audia Flight FL CD Three S CD Player
The Audia Flight FL CD Three S pairs musical intimacy with technically revealing detail, bringing natural treble decay, tactile upper-bass snap and expressive dynamic flow to Redbook discs. Scott Campbell also highlights its flexible DAC credentials: balanced outputs, configurable filters and optional high-resolution USB connectivity make it a compelling digital hub as well as a refined CD player.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
91/100
Build Quality
88/100
Features Usability
87/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Resolves dense passages with a musically engaging yet technically revealing presentation, including natural high-frequency decay and lively upper-bass articulation.
Highly versatile source platform, combining CD playback, DAC and transport functions with balanced outputs and five digital inputs.
Premium physical execution, with a sculpted alloy fascia, substantial machined-aluminium remote and vibration-control feet.
Cons
Operation and filter comparison can feel complex, as filters require playback to be stopped before changing settings.
Very low bass was occasionally heard as slightly soft or more reverberant than natural.
Some CD-R discs were not read reliably during the review.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
The FL CD Three S is described as both musically engaging and technically revealing, with particularly convincing treble decay, strong upper-bass articulation, and an intimate presentation. The review also finds it highly informative without reducing music to a flat or uniform presentation, though very low bass was heard as slightly more reverberant than natural on one recording.
Tonal Balance Musicality
91/100
Scott Campbell found the player musical and intimate while retaining a revealing character. Mid and high frequencies decayed naturally, with a seductive shimmer on percussion, while bass had body and definition; the main reservation was slightly reverberant low bass on the reviewer’s system.
Resolution Detail
91/100
The player was said to resolve complex passages in a manner that was both musical and technically revealing. It also avoided the flattened, “one-level” character the reviewer hears from many CD players, preserving the rises and falls within the music.
Digital Performance
90/100
Filter selection gives the owner meaningful scope to tailor presentation, with Filter 1 preferred and Filter 6 also standing out. The reviewer noted that Filter 2 added midrange warmth at some cost to definition, while several other filters differed only subtly in comparison.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 87/100
This is an unusually flexible disc player that can also serve as a DAC, USB DAC, and digital hub, with balanced operation and high-resolution capability. Its physical controls and remote appear thoughtfully executed, while the review does not discuss a streaming app or network-control experience.
Streaming Software
85/100
As a CD-focused player rather than a network streamer, the FL CD Three S has no streaming software experience to assess. The reviewer does find its physical interface approachable, noting that the raised remote buttons are easy to identify by touch.
Features Connectivity
93/100
The optional digital-input board adds AES/EBU, coaxial S/PDIF, two optical inputs, and asynchronous USB, alongside balanced XLR and single-ended RCA analogue outputs. USB support extends to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD512, making the player a versatile source and DAC for a broad range of systems.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
88/100
The player makes a strong physical impression through its sculpted 10mm alloy fascia, machined solid-aluminium remote, and bespoke multi-layer vibration-control feet. The controls are small but tactile and easy to locate by touch; the review says little about long-term reliability or transport durability.
Value for Money
85/100
At roughly $2,833 to $4,999 depending on market and configuration, the FL CD Three S sits in a premium CD-player segment. The review recommends it for consideration both as a standalone source and as a digitally versatile system upgrade, but does not directly compare its price with competing players.
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Specifications
- Frequency response
- 0.5 Hz ˜ 20 KHz ± 0.1dB
- Dynamic Range
- 126 dB
- THD
- + noise: <0,01%
- Noise
- >- 113 dB
- Maximum output voltage
- 2.5 Vrms
- Output impedance
- 200 Ohm
- Digital Output
- PCM S/PDIF
- Stand-by power consumption
- less than 0,5 W
- Operation Power consumption
- 30 W
- Main voltage AC (50-60 Hz)
- 100, 110-115, 220-230, 240 V
- Dimensions
- 450x110x430 mm (WxHxD)
- Weight
- 10 Kg
- Shipping dimensions
- 600x280x560 mm (WxHxD)
- Shipping weight
- 15.5 Kg
- Optional Digital Board
- Inputs: • 1 XLR AES/EBU • 1 coaxial SPDIF • 2 opticals • 1 asynchronous USB All digital inputs are insulated. The USB input can accept files 32 bit 384KHz and DSD512
Manufacturer's Description — Audia Flight
CD PLAYER
The Audia Flight FL CD Three S is a superbly engineered, high-value CD player designed for true music lovers who demand exceptional sound without compromising their budget. From its refined Italian exterior to its meticulous internal architecture, the FL CD Three S embodies elegance, performance, and precision. Its robust chassis features solid casework and a thick 10mm aluminum front panel, providing both durability and aesthetic appeal. The compact, ergonomic remote—milled from solid aluminum—feels substantial and intuitive in the hand. A large, vibrant blue OLED display keeps you clearly informed of playback status and system information. Unlike many players that rely on repurposed computer drives, the FL CD Three S employs a dedicated CD transport optimized for single-speed playback, ensuring superior sonic accuracy and disc stability. At its heart is the advanced ESS Sabre ES9026PRO 32-bit DAC chipset, renowned for its exceptional resolution and dynamic range. Audia Flight further enhances sonic performance with a choice of seven digital filters, including a modernized version of the acclaimed filter from the original Flight CD One—allowing you to tailor the sound to your preference. Internally, the FL CD Three S benefits from two fully independent toroidal power supplies: one for the analog section and another for the digital circuitry. Importantly, even the DAC’s analog output stage is powered by the dedicated analog supply—an uncommon detail that contributes to the unit’s remarkably natural and dynamic sound. The analog output stage features Class A, discrete current-feedback technology, a signature Audia Flight design, and the entire output path is fully balanced, offering both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analog outputs. A digital output is also available for system flexibility. In addition, the FL CD Three S can be transformed into a standalone DAC via an optional digital input board, which includes five digital inputs (2 x Optical, 1 x AES/EBU, 1 x Coaxial, 1 x USB). This upgrade can be retrofitted at any time. The USB input supports high-resolution formats up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD512, making the player a future-proof digital hub. All digital inputs are galvanically isolated to prevent noise contamination from connected digital sources. Lastly, the analog output stage offers the flexibility of both fixed and variable output, allowing you to connect the FL CD Three S directly to a power amplifier if desired.
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- The Audio Association — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- 110Hz — online and in-store — Kielce, Województwo świętokrzyskie, Poland (website)
- A/V Solutions — in-store — Pleasanton, California, United States (website)
- Absolute Hi End — in-store — Ormond, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Alma Music & Audio — online and in-store — San Diego, California, United States (website)
- Assai Audio — in-store — Centro, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Atelier 13 Audio — in-store — Forest Hills, Tennessee, United States (website)
- Audio Living Design — in-store — Area Produttiva, Marche, Italy (website)
- Audio Omega — in-store — Ourense, Spain (website)
- Audio Vision San Francisco — online and in-store — San Francisco, California, United States (website)
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