Roksan Kandy K2 CD Player & Stereo Amplifier Kit: Review

Roksan's Kandy Range has been around for more years than we care to remember. Over that time, both the CD player and integrated amplifier have been turned from likeable, muscle-bound component s into as finely honed products as you'll find at this price level.

Fuss-free performance -

The amp is better, because it's simpler. The new volume control is a shallow design that's hard to hold, but apart from that this is as fuss-free as Kandy amplifiers have always been. Both components feel very well made and worth all the money, which is a good thing because these Kandys, like much of the competition, have crept up in price in recent years. I particularly liked the dedicated remote handset: it's programmable and massively classier than most handset s we see, almost regardless of the equipment's price.

Let's talk about the CD player first. This is a very fine machine, with a pleasantly slick drawer action. It react s quickly to command s and transport noise is very quiet. Look round the back and you'll find no less than three digital outputs: coax, optical and AES/EBU. We can't think of another player at this price level that offers these options.

The CD player's sound quality is very good. It has a beautifully rounded balance that make s long listening sessions fatigue free. Treble is smooth and delicate without sacrificing even the slightest in terms of attack or insight. The overall presentation is rather more full-bodied than we're used to from a CD player, but that's no bad thing, as even the brashest recordings remain a palatable listen.

As for the amplifier, it share s the CD player's sonic signature without adding any flaws of its own. This really is a brilliant all-rounder. I loved the last version, but this new one is so much cleaner-sounding than before. It uncovers more detail and is better at organizing it, too. That means whether you play the likes of Nirvana at very high volumes, or like a bit of Sinatra for a quiet late-night listen, the Ka amplifier will be a better performer than the old one by a significant margin.

The power output is 125 Watt s per channel, which is pretty much unchanged from before, but this new amplifier deliver s large-scale dynamics and seismic bass with so much more control than the LIII. It'll work more convincingly with a wider range of speakers, too, because there's far more details to this design. The K2 also has a good quality moving magnet stage.

Up against serious competition

There is no doubt in our minds that both these components represent a large step forward over their much-respected predecessors. However, the CD player, as good as it is, has a big problem, and that's Cyrus's startlingly good CD6 SE. For us, this Cyrus player delivers such a staggering amount of insight, dynamic and timing that even something as talented as the K2 CD player sound s ordinary in comparison. That said, if for some reason the CD6 SE doesn't appeal or you just wan t a smoother, less intense listening experience, go for the K.2. It's the second best player on the market at this price point. The K2 amplifier has no such rivals to worry about.

CD PLAYER ROKSAN KANDY K2

Plus Points

Refined sound; good detail, timing and dynamics; well made; fine remote

Negative Points

Quality of com petition; cluttered display; cramped controls

Overview

TheKandyK2iswell worth a listen, but competition is tough

STEREO AMPLIFIER ROKSAN KANDY K2

Plus points

Brilliant all-round sound; unfussy with partnering equipment and music; great build

Negative Points

The distinctive new look means it won't be a good visual match with third party components

Overview

It's such a supremely talented unit that we can't think of a better all-round alternative at similar money. Buy this one with confidence.