What Hi Fi Sound and Vision
26 SEP 2008
Roksan Kandy K2
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 components into as finely honed products as you’ll find at this price level.
This latest generation of Kandy sports a flashy new look and enjoys a whole raft of engineering upgrades (see panel for more details). We’re not wholly convinced by the new look, but you can judge for yourselves.
What we can say is that the controls on the CD player seem crammed, and the display is hard to read: there’s just too much information in such a small space.
Fuss-free performance
The CD player feels very well made and worth all the money, which is a good thing because the Kandy, like much of the competition, has crept up in price in recent years.
We particularly like the dedicated remote handset: it’s programmable and massively classier than most handsets we see, almost regardless of the equipment’s price.
Let’s talk about the CD player. This is a very fine machine, with a pleasantly slick drawer action. It reacts quickly to commands and transport noise is very quiet.
Look round the back and you’ll find no less than three digital outputs: coaxial, optical and AES/EBU. We can’t think of another player at this price level that offers these options, but then again we’re not sure if anyone needs them.
The CD player’s sound quality is very good. It has a beautifully rounded balance that makes 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.
Up against serious competition
There is no doubt in our minds that the CD player represents a large step forward over its much-respected predecessor. However, as good as it is, the CD player 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 sounds ordinary in comparison.
That said, if for some reason the CD6 SE doesn’t appeal or you just want a smoother, less intense listening experience, go for the K2. It’s the second best player on the market at this price point.
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