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Audia Flight FL THREE S
Audia Flight Three S Integrated Amplifier
Over 20 years of experience designing cutting edge, high performance audio equipment has gone into our Audia Flight Three S Integrated Amplifier
The result is, even by our high standards, an incredible multi-faceted component! Using the experience with our Classic and Strumento Series, every detail,
however minute, has been carefully thought through for the discriminating audio enthusiast and music lover. And, yet, the Flight Three S offers an
exceptionally good value and, like all Audia Flight products, it is made entirely in Italy.
Starting with its elegant Italian exterior, the Flight Three S has solidly built casework with a thick aluminum (10mm) front panel, positive-action metal
pushbutton selectors, and a nicely-weighted pleasing to the touch aluminum volume knob, all expertly crafted and finely finished.
In your hand you’ll also find a compact, ergonomic remote control hewn from solid aluminum. A large, blue OLED display will keep your eyes informed about
the input choice (each input can be named as you choose) and other feature selections as you engage them.
Inside the Flight Three S’s sophisticated electronic interior are a series of critical features that make this integrated amplifier perform well above
other integrated amplifiers within its category. An high performance ALPS Blue potentiometer provides an accurate volume control at all settings.
Eight power supplies are in charge of all amplification stages up to the driver transistor stage, with 13.200uF total capacitance available for
the stabilized power supplies until the driver transistor section. Four high-current power supplies (72.000µF) are then dedicated solely to the output driver
stages. If that’s not enough, all inputs feature sealed relays in an inert atmosphere and gold terminations! And, as following our philosophy for best
sonic performance, the logic control section features its own toroidal transformer and is connect to the analog section via photo-couplers only.
Driving your speakers are two 100 Watt amplifiers with a large 576VA toroidal audio transformer.
In short the Flight Three S is a dual mono design, with Audia Flight’s current feedback circuitry design, a sophisticated preamp section, and deep,
well-controlled bass that brings your loudspeakers and your music alive with a powerful, stunning sonic picture.
Interfacing with your Flight Three S is also a pleasure, with input selection, volume control, and mute control (with a memory of the previous level)
via front panel or remote control . The user can choose from four unbalanced analog inputs (one optionally phono), one balanced analog input,
and even from an optional USB digital input.
The optional USB 24bit 192KHz DAC board with its high grade, discreet circuitry achieves a remarkable musical experience from your digital files,
while the optional pure analog MM/MC phono board (via analog Input 1) will bring your turntable, phono cartridges, and vinyl collection to vibrant life.
Not surprisingly, then, the Flight Three S also has many standard features.
A discreet, high-performance headphone amplifier designed to properly drive your headphones of choice. A bypass (or “direct”) feature,
selectable by remote control, allows the user to turn the Flight Three S into a power amplifier through any assigned analog input: you may then include
the amplifier in a multi-channel system (such as a home theater) as the power amplifier for the main speakers, while still using the same speakers for
reference quality two channel listening with stereo sources connected to the Flight Three S
Finally, rounding out this well thought out, highly flexible design out is a remote trigger input, Monitor input, Record output, a
nd an unbalanced Preamplifier output (with the ability to turn off the Flight Three S’s internal amplifiers should you wish).
Overall the Flight Three S Integrated Amplifier is a pleasure to behold, to use, and to listen to with many sources and nearly any loudspeaker.
Dealers selling Audia Flight near you
Audia Flight FL THREE S
The Audia Flight FL THREE S is a supremely musical integrated amplifier that pairs a rich, warm presentation with an unusually large, three-dimensional soundstage. Listeners hear a lush midrange, generous low end and slightly sweetened treble that favour musical flow and detail over clinical neutrality.
Hi‑Fi Choice praised its expansive scale, convincing depth perspective and satisfying dynamics. Engineering is robust: a 576VA toroidal transformer, substantial reservoir capacitance, 10mm aluminium fascia and Class A/AB output stage. Connectivity is generous, with balanced input, headphone output and retrofit options for MM/MC phono and a 24/192 USB DAC.
Ideal for jazz, vocals and rock where tonal character enhances engagement; less suited to listeners who prioritise razor‑sharp neutrality. The FL THREE S offers a characterful, well‑specified package with meaningful upgrade paths.
Pros
- Warm, musical tonal balance that preserves detail and rhythmic flow, making music consistently enjoyable.
- Expansive, three-dimensional soundstage with convincing depth and imaging that enhances large-scale recordings.
- Robust engineering and premium build quality — substantial 576VA toroidal transformer, large reservoir capacitance and solid aluminium fascia.
- Generous connectivity and upgrade path, including balanced input, headphone output and optional MM/MC phono and 24/192 USB DAC boards.
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Cons
- Adds some upper‑bass and treble coloration and a slightly sweet/syrupy midrange that reduces absolute neutrality.
- Less grip and control with very large or full‑range loudspeakers; bass can sound a little bulbous at higher levels.
- Not the ideal choice for listeners seeking razor‑sharp forensic clarity on top-tier classical or electronic recordings.
Sound Quality
86/100
Dynamics
84/100
The FL Three S delivers satisfying rhythmic drive and convincing dynamics for its class, with reviewers noting fine dynamics and a big foundation. However it is described as not quite as lithe or having the grip of some rivals and can sound a little bulbous with large speakers, so headroom/control are good but not exceptional.
Soundstage Imaging
90/100
Reviewers praise an expansive, cathedral-like soundstage with strong depth perspective and good detail retrieval; imaging is convincing and enjoyable. The amp renders large-scale recordings with scale and presence, producing an engaging three-dimensional presentation.
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Build Quality
90/100
Solid mechanical and electrical design: substantial 10mm aluminium fascia, pressed steel chassis, aluminium remote and a 576VA toroidal transformer feeding 13,200µF of capacitance. Quality bipolar MJL output devices and thoughtful internal layout (and USB isolation) support the impression of well-engineered construction.
Features Connectivity
93/100
Generous feature set for the price: four unbalanced and one balanced input, monitor and assignable direct input, headphone output, preamp/record outputs, and optional retrofit boards (MM/MC phono and USB 24/192 DAC) plus remote. The optional isolated USB DAC and MM/MC phono option, along with balanced input and standard I/O, place it in the very well‑featured category.
Value for Money
90/100
Reviewer labels the package reasonably priced for what you get (Price listed £2,495) and notes pleasing packaging and reasonably priced optional upgrades, implying the amp justifies its cost in this segment. Overall sentiment is that it represents a solid buy for those seeking a warm, musical integrated with strong build and features.
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