Flux FCN-10
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The Flux Lab Acoustics FCN-10 was kindly loaned for the purpose of this review.
This is my honest and subjective evaluation of it.
All links provided are not affiliated and I don't earn anything by clicking on them.
You can buy it directly from their website.
https://fluxlab-acoustics.com/product/fcn-10/
Introduction
Flux Lab Acoustics is a Ukrainian company dedicated to the design and manufacturing of high-end audio products.
Fully designed and manufactured in Ukraine.
Flux Lab Acoustics is devoted to developing best-sounding audio equipment.
They have an unrivaled experience in the high-end audio industry covering both digital & analog board design, software developing as well as mechanical design.
The company strongly believes that correctly applied technology confirmed by in-depth measurements at the lab and finally a thorough listening is the way to improve the art of audio reproduction.
They produce pure headphone amplifiers and dac / amp combos, some of them with streaming capabilities.
FCN-10 Technical parameters
The FCN-10 is a streamer DAC with a full scale fixed analog output and a pure class A headphone amplifier.
There are two variants available , the FC-10 with a second USB 2.0 port and the FCN-10 without it but with an added extra built-in 2.4GHz WiFi receiver.
The FCN-10 is a modern combo device for sophisticated owners of high-quality, demanding headphones. It combines a high quality DAC, a streamer and exactly the same class A powerful amplification circuit design as in the much acclaimed FA-10 amplifier.
This is not the usual do it all in one device but rather a combination of three different and discrete high end components.
A high-quality implementation of the digital board and interfaces, combined with the amplifier enclosed in a classic design compact chassis.
So if we have a look at the inside we can identify the three main boards powered by a large custom made - low noise - toroidal transformer with separate linear regulated power supplies for all the critical digital and analog circuits.
The transformer and the power PCB are isolated inside an extra department with a thick metal wall so that they don't interfere with the rest of the boards.
Unfortunately the streamer board is housed inside the same compartment but to be honest we haven't detected any noise attributed to it.
The digital to analog converter is built around two AKM AK4493 DAC chips that they work in a dual mono configuration in order to squeeze out 3dB more of dynamic range and better crosstalk.
This is not a balanced design and the two DAC chips are used together in order to provide the best available performance at the single ended output.
The analog outputs of the DAC and the headphone amplifier are single ended and the 4-pin XLR jack is there for convenience only in order to accommodate balanced cables without the need of an adapter.
The USB receiver is from Amanero combined with three different clocks and the unit supports LAN input, up to 384 kHz sampling and up to 32-bit, DSD64, DSD128 , USB 2.0 input, up to 384 kHz sampling and up to 32-bit, DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 (Win only), DSD512 (Win only).
The FCN-10 digital inputs are LAN , PC USB input / USB 2.0 for external drives and 2.4 GHz WiFi with an external antenna while the FC-10 ditches the WiFi for an extra USB 2.0 input.
Sadly a coaxial input is not available so we couldn't use our CD transport.
The streaming service is not handled by a generic IC as is the common case with most of all in one streamers but rather is well implemented with a discrete RPi computer board that runs under the moOde OS.
If we open the chassis we can easily spot the micro SD card and then we can burn a different OS of our preference.
The amplifier circuit used is essentially the same as the FA-10 or if you prefer the FCN-10 is the FA-10 with an added DAC and a streamer board above it.
This is one of the most powerful amplifiers in the market with the huge power output of 16 Watt into 32Ω loads.
We can even run easy speakers with it!
The amplifier circuits are employing J-Fet input stages and high power Toshiba bipolar transistors at class A mode with a supply voltage of 80 volts of output stage.
High transparency at any volume level and absence of even minimal unbalance of the channels, allows you to more accurately set the volume level thanks to 64-step relay volume control attenuator.
Three GAIN modes give you unique flexibility to use the amplifier with a wide range of headphones without loss of sound performance quality.
Large rectifier capacitance is used for best performance with a total of 4x6800μF capacitors.
All the components that are employed inside the unit are of high quality and only from well established brands.
Build quality and layout
The unit is housed inside a simple metal chassis with only the faceplate being made from CNC milled high quality aluminum.
The overall design is quite ordinary and outdated with a clean and simple look that minimalists should love but others might hate.
The dimensions are 46x42x18cm and the weight is a whole 6.6kg.
At the middle of the front face we have the volume pot while at the right we get single ended and balanced XLR headphone outputs and at the left side three simple small and rather uninspiring switches.
One is for on/off duties , the other one to select input between AUX - USB - LAN and the third one for gain control between high/medium/low.
At the back lies the iec plug , the wireless antenna , the USB 2.0 and LAN inputs , the AUX RCA input and the DAC RCA output.
All the used plugs are of good quality.
Operation
Operation is very simple and we can choose to run the unit as a stand alone DAC or as a separate headphone amplifier from the AUX input or as a combo DAC/amp unit.
For digital input we can use either the LAN or the WiFi or the PC USB input or even plug an external hard/flash drive at the available USB 2.0 ports.
Under PC USB DAC mode the operation is the usual one but if we opt for the LAN/WiFi/USB 2.0 input then it gets a little more complicated.
We must have knowledge of RPi and moOde OS in order to operate the streamer or play files from an external drive.
Surprisingly there is no manual included inside the box and even more surprisingly not an online tutorial at the Fluxlab Acoustics website.
The user must contact the Fluxlab support to ask for a tutorial or search online to find an available one.
Thankfully there are quite a few comprehensive ones and with a little reading and a small learning curve we can finally run the steamer with an app like the BubbleUPnP.
So after we master the moOde OS then we can easily have access to online streaming services , free webradios , our local network and play music from external hard/flash drives.
Sound quality
Since the FCN-10 is essentially a separate DAC and a headphone amplifier supporting single or combined use we are going to split the sound impressions into three parts.
Headphone Amplifier
We fed the amplifier with various external Dacs from the high end Denafrips Venus mkii to the Cambridge Audio 851N or even the entry level SMSL M100 mkii.
The amplifier plain and simple is a truly excellent performer without any downsides.
It is ultra linear and flat with a great transparency to it while it poses very musical characteristics without altering the frequency response.
It is a class A full bodied presentation from top to bottom adding great substance to the notes that sound perfectly natural with lifelike timbre.
Bass is thick and very controlled with extra astounding dynamics while maintaining excellent layering and definition.
The amplifier is such a powerful beast that can drive every available headphone at the market without even sweating with the ability to respond instantly and lightning fast from silence to powerful outbursts and vice versa.
Mids and highs are crystal clear and detailed, full of energy and still full bodied.
Everything is under control and balanced with a smooth and easy going nature without any hint of extension loss.
Despite being uber powerful the amplifier is surprisingly silent even with higher sensitivity headphones.
The silent background adds greatly to the transparency and helps all the fine nuances to emerge and integrate with the whole.
The soundscape is very holographic offering combined depth and width with pinpoint accuracy making for a very persuasive and lifelike rendering of the recording venue.
The stepped volume attenuator performs miracles regarding channel imbalance and fine control while the gain switch is very useful and allows full pot use even with very sensitive headphones.
With all the headphones at our disposal we didn't need to reach for the high gain.
A performance par excellence and we certainly would recommend the FCN-10 for the amplifier section only.
Fortunately users that need a separate amplifier can buy the FA-10 for a lower price with the exact same performance.
Standalone DAC
The DAC section retains more or less the same sound characteristics.
It is neutral and balanced with a great emotional depth and an R2R kind of flavor to it.
We have heard a lot of AK4493 implementations but this is one of the best with excellent extension to both ends and ample dynamics.
It is a full bodied and well controlled sound that can do justice to all musical genres.
Bass is deep and controlled well defined and detailed while the mid region clarity is very good.
The notes are rounded and engaging with linear transition to the higher register that is still smooth but very detailed and full of energy.
Timbre is natural and the DAC can draw a well proportioned picture of the recording.
The FCN-10 DAC section can easily stand strong against the competition and be used as a standalone DAC with external headphone or speaker amplifiers.
We would like to have a variable line output in order to use the FCN-10 with active speakers but we perfectly understand Flux Labs ditching it for a purist approach.
Amplifier and DAC combined
Not much left to talk about here because as you can very easily understand the combination of the two great performers results in an awesome combo unit with an upgraded performance to match.
The FCN-10 is an excellent standalone DAC and amplifier but when combined the result is a heavenly experience.
This is the most powerful DAC/amp unit in the market with truly exceptional performance and you will be hard pressed to find something better at this price point.
And we are not talking only sheer power but rather pure musical enjoyment with every headphone that you can think of.
At the end
The Fluxlab Acoustics FCN-10 is easily the most powerful DAC/amp/streamer in the market.
But power is useless without quality and this unit it sure delivers in spades.
Excellent as a headphone amplifier/DAC combination the FCN-10 is equally competent as a standalone DAC making for a multi talented device to form the centerpiece of a combined headphone and speakers system.
Consider the extra embedded high quality streamer as a free bonus.
The FCN-10 simply put it, is one of the best high end multi purpose headphone systems in the market right now that can easily count as an end game piece of gear.
Test playlist - http://open.qobuz.com/playlist/5669033
Copyright - Petros Laskis 2021
This is my honest and subjective evaluation of it.
All links provided are not affiliated and I don't earn anything by clicking on them.
You can buy it directly from their website.
https://fluxlab-acoustics.com/product/fcn-10/
Introduction
Flux Lab Acoustics is a Ukrainian company dedicated to the design and manufacturing of high-end audio products.
Fully designed and manufactured in Ukraine.
Flux Lab Acoustics is devoted to developing best-sounding audio equipment.
They have an unrivaled experience in the high-end audio industry covering both digital & analog board design, software developing as well as mechanical design.
The company strongly believes that correctly applied technology confirmed by in-depth measurements at the lab and finally a thorough listening is the way to improve the art of audio reproduction.
They produce pure headphone amplifiers and dac / amp combos, some of them with streaming capabilities.
FCN-10 Technical parameters
The FCN-10 is a streamer DAC with a full scale fixed analog output and a pure class A headphone amplifier.
There are two variants available , the FC-10 with a second USB 2.0 port and the FCN-10 without it but with an added extra built-in 2.4GHz WiFi receiver.
The FCN-10 is a modern combo device for sophisticated owners of high-quality, demanding headphones. It combines a high quality DAC, a streamer and exactly the same class A powerful amplification circuit design as in the much acclaimed FA-10 amplifier.
This is not the usual do it all in one device but rather a combination of three different and discrete high end components.
A high-quality implementation of the digital board and interfaces, combined with the amplifier enclosed in a classic design compact chassis.
So if we have a look at the inside we can identify the three main boards powered by a large custom made - low noise - toroidal transformer with separate linear regulated power supplies for all the critical digital and analog circuits.
The transformer and the power PCB are isolated inside an extra department with a thick metal wall so that they don't interfere with the rest of the boards.
Unfortunately the streamer board is housed inside the same compartment but to be honest we haven't detected any noise attributed to it.
The digital to analog converter is built around two AKM AK4493 DAC chips that they work in a dual mono configuration in order to squeeze out 3dB more of dynamic range and better crosstalk.
This is not a balanced design and the two DAC chips are used together in order to provide the best available performance at the single ended output.
The analog outputs of the DAC and the headphone amplifier are single ended and the 4-pin XLR jack is there for convenience only in order to accommodate balanced cables without the need of an adapter.
The USB receiver is from Amanero combined with three different clocks and the unit supports LAN input, up to 384 kHz sampling and up to 32-bit, DSD64, DSD128 , USB 2.0 input, up to 384 kHz sampling and up to 32-bit, DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 (Win only), DSD512 (Win only).
The FCN-10 digital inputs are LAN , PC USB input / USB 2.0 for external drives and 2.4 GHz WiFi with an external antenna while the FC-10 ditches the WiFi for an extra USB 2.0 input.
Sadly a coaxial input is not available so we couldn't use our CD transport.
The streaming service is not handled by a generic IC as is the common case with most of all in one streamers but rather is well implemented with a discrete RPi computer board that runs under the moOde OS.
If we open the chassis we can easily spot the micro SD card and then we can burn a different OS of our preference.
The amplifier circuit used is essentially the same as the FA-10 or if you prefer the FCN-10 is the FA-10 with an added DAC and a streamer board above it.
This is one of the most powerful amplifiers in the market with the huge power output of 16 Watt into 32Ω loads.
We can even run easy speakers with it!
The amplifier circuits are employing J-Fet input stages and high power Toshiba bipolar transistors at class A mode with a supply voltage of 80 volts of output stage.
High transparency at any volume level and absence of even minimal unbalance of the channels, allows you to more accurately set the volume level thanks to 64-step relay volume control attenuator.
Three GAIN modes give you unique flexibility to use the amplifier with a wide range of headphones without loss of sound performance quality.
Large rectifier capacitance is used for best performance with a total of 4x6800μF capacitors.
All the components that are employed inside the unit are of high quality and only from well established brands.
Build quality and layout
The unit is housed inside a simple metal chassis with only the faceplate being made from CNC milled high quality aluminum.
The overall design is quite ordinary and outdated with a clean and simple look that minimalists should love but others might hate.
The dimensions are 46x42x18cm and the weight is a whole 6.6kg.
At the middle of the front face we have the volume pot while at the right we get single ended and balanced XLR headphone outputs and at the left side three simple small and rather uninspiring switches.
One is for on/off duties , the other one to select input between AUX - USB - LAN and the third one for gain control between high/medium/low.
At the back lies the iec plug , the wireless antenna , the USB 2.0 and LAN inputs , the AUX RCA input and the DAC RCA output.
All the used plugs are of good quality.
Operation
Operation is very simple and we can choose to run the unit as a stand alone DAC or as a separate headphone amplifier from the AUX input or as a combo DAC/amp unit.
For digital input we can use either the LAN or the WiFi or the PC USB input or even plug an external hard/flash drive at the available USB 2.0 ports.
Under PC USB DAC mode the operation is the usual one but if we opt for the LAN/WiFi/USB 2.0 input then it gets a little more complicated.
We must have knowledge of RPi and moOde OS in order to operate the streamer or play files from an external drive.
Surprisingly there is no manual included inside the box and even more surprisingly not an online tutorial at the Fluxlab Acoustics website.
The user must contact the Fluxlab support to ask for a tutorial or search online to find an available one.
Thankfully there are quite a few comprehensive ones and with a little reading and a small learning curve we can finally run the steamer with an app like the BubbleUPnP.
So after we master the moOde OS then we can easily have access to online streaming services , free webradios , our local network and play music from external hard/flash drives.
Sound quality
Since the FCN-10 is essentially a separate DAC and a headphone amplifier supporting single or combined use we are going to split the sound impressions into three parts.
Headphone Amplifier
We fed the amplifier with various external Dacs from the high end Denafrips Venus mkii to the Cambridge Audio 851N or even the entry level SMSL M100 mkii.
The amplifier plain and simple is a truly excellent performer without any downsides.
It is ultra linear and flat with a great transparency to it while it poses very musical characteristics without altering the frequency response.
It is a class A full bodied presentation from top to bottom adding great substance to the notes that sound perfectly natural with lifelike timbre.
Bass is thick and very controlled with extra astounding dynamics while maintaining excellent layering and definition.
The amplifier is such a powerful beast that can drive every available headphone at the market without even sweating with the ability to respond instantly and lightning fast from silence to powerful outbursts and vice versa.
Mids and highs are crystal clear and detailed, full of energy and still full bodied.
Everything is under control and balanced with a smooth and easy going nature without any hint of extension loss.
Despite being uber powerful the amplifier is surprisingly silent even with higher sensitivity headphones.
The silent background adds greatly to the transparency and helps all the fine nuances to emerge and integrate with the whole.
The soundscape is very holographic offering combined depth and width with pinpoint accuracy making for a very persuasive and lifelike rendering of the recording venue.
The stepped volume attenuator performs miracles regarding channel imbalance and fine control while the gain switch is very useful and allows full pot use even with very sensitive headphones.
With all the headphones at our disposal we didn't need to reach for the high gain.
A performance par excellence and we certainly would recommend the FCN-10 for the amplifier section only.
Fortunately users that need a separate amplifier can buy the FA-10 for a lower price with the exact same performance.
Standalone DAC
The DAC section retains more or less the same sound characteristics.
It is neutral and balanced with a great emotional depth and an R2R kind of flavor to it.
We have heard a lot of AK4493 implementations but this is one of the best with excellent extension to both ends and ample dynamics.
It is a full bodied and well controlled sound that can do justice to all musical genres.
Bass is deep and controlled well defined and detailed while the mid region clarity is very good.
The notes are rounded and engaging with linear transition to the higher register that is still smooth but very detailed and full of energy.
Timbre is natural and the DAC can draw a well proportioned picture of the recording.
The FCN-10 DAC section can easily stand strong against the competition and be used as a standalone DAC with external headphone or speaker amplifiers.
We would like to have a variable line output in order to use the FCN-10 with active speakers but we perfectly understand Flux Labs ditching it for a purist approach.
Amplifier and DAC combined
Not much left to talk about here because as you can very easily understand the combination of the two great performers results in an awesome combo unit with an upgraded performance to match.
The FCN-10 is an excellent standalone DAC and amplifier but when combined the result is a heavenly experience.
This is the most powerful DAC/amp unit in the market with truly exceptional performance and you will be hard pressed to find something better at this price point.
And we are not talking only sheer power but rather pure musical enjoyment with every headphone that you can think of.
At the end
The Fluxlab Acoustics FCN-10 is easily the most powerful DAC/amp/streamer in the market.
But power is useless without quality and this unit it sure delivers in spades.
Excellent as a headphone amplifier/DAC combination the FCN-10 is equally competent as a standalone DAC making for a multi talented device to form the centerpiece of a combined headphone and speakers system.
Consider the extra embedded high quality streamer as a free bonus.
The FCN-10 simply put it, is one of the best high end multi purpose headphone systems in the market right now that can easily count as an end game piece of gear.
Test playlist - http://open.qobuz.com/playlist/5669033
Copyright - Petros Laskis 2021
Flux FCN-10 is a powerful DAC/AMP pushing 16W of power into 32Ohm, and it can also work as a streamer using DLNA/Airplay. It is priced at 1299$.
Sound quality for the price
Build quality
Value
Packaging
Flux FCN-10 comes in a standard, brown box with a small set of accessories inside. Inside you’ll find only the AC, Ethernet and USB type B cables. That’s not much, but with a monster like that, you won’t need anything else.
The packaging is pretty simple, even basic. It’s not a bad thing though, as it’s what’s inside that matters the most.
Build quality
Flux is made of metal, painted black with a silver, matte potentiometer on the front. It weighs over 5kg (11,5lb). It is very stable with nothing to complain about. Every single connector is very stiff and solid. All three switches work pretty hard, with a loud click, but it’s a satisfying sound for me. It is absolutely a top build quality.
After some time, the device gets warm, but it wouldn’t shock anybody because it is a class A amplifier.
The design is raw and simple, and i really adore this kind of approach. Flux looks professional, powerful and reliable, it is built like a tank and you could probably use it as a melee weapon when in danger (i highly suggest not to do it though).
Functionality
DAC, AMP, a streamer. Do you need more?The primary function of FCN-10 is a DAC/AMP mode. We have a USB input, RCA input, RCA output, and two headphone outputs. The first is a regular 6,3mm jack, and the second one is a balanced XLR output. So, basically, all you need. This set is in FC-10. FCN-10 has more inside, it can work as a file streamer with 2 USB for external hard drives, a WiFi card, and an ethernet connector.
What’s worth mentioning is the power of this champ – it bursts up to 16W of power out of the balanced, 4pin XLR, which is absolutely ridiculous. There are no headphones that this giant couldn’t handle in terms of power requirements. So, even if you have a really power hungry cans like the Hifiman Susvara, Kennerton Odin – you’re all set. For life.
As for the streaming capabilities, it launches after selecting the LAN option on the middle switch. In the same moment, the USB connectors are turned on. Using them and external HDDs, the Flux can work as a simple player using the Moode software.
Sound
Flux FCN-10 is enormous not only by its dimensions but also because of its sound quality. It has a linear sound signature, with a lot of power, such a fabulous dynamic, round scene, and overall calming manner. It is trying to neutralize all the headphones specificities to make the sound flattened, so some of you can miss a little bit of the fun.
When it comes to the possibilities of driving, you can be sure that your headphones will show 100% of what they can do — this power-beast drive up Kennerton Odin without any problem, on both SE and balanced outputs.
The bass is speedy, plays straight to the point. It is highly texturized, kinda neutral, but without such a powerful and round strike. It is really hard slamming, it doesn’t linger with the kick. After all, the bass isn’t a leader here, but it is definitely noticeable in the overall sound signature. I love its width, it goes from all around in a concert style.
It all sounds perfect with older jazz, especially when the double bass comes in. Good, old funk also sounds terrific — Rasputin by Boney M. is incredibly fast and pleasant to listen to. Same as all metal and rock type genres, they’re fast and definitely can enamour fans of those genres.
The midrange is pretty natural and very engaging. Vocals are almost always at the front, with a lot of texture, without any dryness. Michael Kiwanuka’s voice sounds like a small concert in the club somewhere in the basement. It is very intimate in a good way, close at the front, same for Ray Charles, but he’s a little deeper on the scene. Also, female voices, like Nina Simone are lovely, very charming with the concert feeling. Details in the midrange are fantastic, you won’t skip anything in the music, and it doesn’t matter if you prefer smaller realisations or symphonic concerts with many instruments.
The treble can shock with its timbre, which is smooth in the longer parts, but a little sharp with more clicky sounds. It is very, very detailed, but not brightened, maybe a little flat, I would say. I didn’t notice any sibilances, it’s just a gentle and very correct treble. Overall the treble is very clean and tight. I think my favorite song here is “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson, even if I’m not his big fan at all, but that one is incredibly good here. Thanks to the godlike driving ability and pureness of the sound, prepare for some slight sharpiness if you pair it with the headphones that are very treble-forward.
The soundstage is specific. It is very round, great directed, without such a black background, with prominent in-music holography and imaging, which isn’t that good in games or movies. In the music, it’s genuinely fantastic, with almost unreal distance distinction and fabulous 3D feeling.
Still, it is all placed at the same distance in games, which isn’t really helpful in competitive gaming.
Summary
FLUX FCN-10 is a true beast of a device. It’s a DAC, AMP and a streamer – all of which are of very high quality. The raw power and driving capabilities makes it an absolute monster of an amp, which will make all the headphones on the market sing with ease. Overall, its a stellar device with a very competetive price, regarding what it’s capable of, and the functionality that you’re getting.
Recommended.
Gear used during this review for the sake of comparison and as accompanying equipment:
- Headphones – Philips Fidelio X2HR, Kennerton Odin, Vision Ears EVE2020, Audeze LCD-3, Bqeyz Spring 2, Craft Ears Four, Hifiman HE400i 2020,
- Sources– Topping DX7 Pro, SMSL M300+SP200, Chord Mojo
