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Audia Flight FLS 20
FLS20
Top Loading SACD Player
Over decades, Audia has continued to actively develop CD players, accumulating and refining experience about this audio technology. The new FLS20 SACD achieves the essence of a high-end disc player: ultra-high precision in reading discs and delivering high quality audio signals to the audio chain. For this result, the signal paths are as short as possible and all the circuitry is minimized.
After a long and extenuating process of listening sessions and sophisticated technical measures, the disk drive system has totally been designed from scratch in order to virtually eliminate any vibration, both from inside and outside the chassis. Vibrations are the biggest enemy of disk players and sonic top performances cannot be obtained without a total control of drive vibrations (see picture below). Disc information can be read with impeccable precision and a clean, high-quality signals fed to the FLS20 SACD’s advanced circuitry.
The unit has solidly built casework with a thick aluminum front panel. Conversion section uses 2 x Sabre ES9038PRO 32-BitDacs (one x channel, mono mode), plus a Crystek CCHD-950 ultra low noise clock. Digital circuits are powered by 10 ultra low noise power supplies. The output section is, in Audia Flight style, fully balanced Class A discrete current feedback, so balanced and unbalanced analog output are available. It is powered by 4 low noise discrete components voltage regulators.
FLS20 power supply uses 3 completely separate toroidal transformers for the analog stage (80VA ), digital stage (85VA) circuits and a 15VA for logic control. Connections flexibility is ensured by 4 built in digital inputs (Toslink, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, USB) and 4 digital outputs (Toslink, AES/EBU, S/PDIF I2S). In addition to that Audia Flight is offering the choice of an optional streamer card.
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Professional Reviews 91/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
93/100
Features Usability
87/100
Value for Money
85/100
Refined midrange realism, deep dynamic drive, and an analogue-like smoothness define this SACD/CD player, with Edgar Kramer praising its lifelike vocals, natural acoustic timbre, and enveloping soundstage. Its beautifully finished chassis, top-loading transport, and broad connectivity make it a compelling high-end disc source for listeners who want musical ease without sacrificing resolution.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Delivers lifelike vocals, natural acoustic timbre, and excellent midrange presence with a smooth, non-etched presentation.
Offers strong dynamics, bass authority, and convincing spatial scale with an enveloping soundstage.
Build quality is first-rate, with seamless aluminium construction, a substantial top-loading mechanism, and flexible balanced/unbalanced connectivity.
&
Cons
The remote’s identical button sizes can make accidental presses more likely.
As a luxury disc player, it sits firmly in the premium price bracket rather than value territory.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Reviewers describe the FLS 20 as natural, lifelike, and highly musical, with a midrange that feels present and convincing. It is repeatedly praised for tonal accuracy, a smooth analogue-like character, and dynamic expression that gives acoustic instruments real body and realism.
Tonal Balance Musicality
94/100
The player is described as non-etched, non-bright, and analogue-like, with a midrange that sounds present and lifelike. Reviewers also point to natural timbre on acoustic bass and piano, plus strong emotional communication through vocals and instruments.
Resolution Detail
92/100
The FLS 20 is credited with 'outstanding levels of musical minutiae' and strong fine detail without turning clinical. One comparison suggests a different transport could sound a touch more detailed at times, but the overall impression is of excellent nuance, separation, and inner texture.
Digital Performance
92/100
Reviewers praise its authority, bass control, transient response, and the way it handles dynamics and spatial scale. The sound is described as free of obvious brightness or etch, with a black, composed presentation that supports convincing imaging and a wide, enveloping soundfield.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 87/100
For a disc player, the FLS 20 is generously equipped and clearly aimed at flexible system integration. The reviews do not really discuss day-to-day software behavior, but they do show broad connectivity and a promising future expansion path for streaming support.
Streaming Software
84/100
There is no finished streaming platform to judge here, so reviewers say little about app quality, setup, or responsiveness. They only mention planned streaming-service compatibility and library control, which points to ambition but not to proven real-world software behavior.
Features Connectivity
93/100
Connectivity is extensive, with USB-B, coaxial S/PDIF, AES/EBU, Toslink, HDMI/I2S, balanced XLR, unbalanced RCA, and 12V triggers. The variable or fixed output option further adds practical flexibility for different systems.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
93/100
The chassis and hardware are praised as first-rate, with seamlessly assembled aluminium panels, beautifully finished surfaces, and controls that feel assured. Reviewers also single out the milled aluminium remote, the efficient rear-panel layout, and the heavily modified top-loading Denon mechanism as signs of serious engineering, though they stop short of calling the build flawless.
Value for Money
85/100
None of the reviews call it a bargain, and the asking price places it firmly in luxury territory. Against other high-end SACD/CD players, though, the comments frame it as a seriously engineered, well-specified machine rather than something extravagantly priced for what it does.
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Authorized dealers for Audia Flight FLS 20
- 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 — 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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