Digital Drive: REVIEW: Roksan Kandy CD Player/Recorder by greg7

Model:	Kandy
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:	$895
Description:	cd player
Manufacturer URL:	Roksan
Manufacturer URL:	Roksan

Review by greg7 ( A ) on April 11, 2003 at 11:43:57
IP Address: 24.196.191.154

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for the Kandy

I upgraded to this player from a Rega Planet (original model). While the original Planet IMO set benchmarks for analog-like musicality and unique asthetics at it's price point, I felt it lacked dynamics and bass solidity for my tastes. The Kandy was purchased sans prior audition as I live in a rather isolated area.

Theh overall build quality is very good at this price point: full compliment of external D/A output options, nice, thick faceplate and heavy chassis. I haven't looked inside so I cannot comment on internal component quality other than what I know from various reviews, namely a decent-sized toroid and chipsets consisting of the Burr-Brown 1716 DA and NEC5532 output opamp(s).

I auditioned this player against a Linn Mimik 2 and a EAD DSP-7000 Mark 3. Two different monitor speakers were used for evaluation: Amphion Argon 2 and Dillon Acoustics Metaphor. Music used in this evaluation was primarily a large variety of alternative, rock and classical recordings and this evaluation was over a 3-month period.

On the plus side, the Kandy presents the music with excellent dynamics, pace and inner detail. The bass response is very good as well. Soundstaging is good as far as precision and width. Note that I cannot comment too much on depth as my smaller listening room tends to forshorten depth unless I revert to nearfield and/or the Audio Physic method -- both of which put the speakers in an odd location given that my listening room is also my living room. I felt the Kandy was equal to that of the Mimik 2 as far as soundstaging but not nearly as good as the EAD DSP-7000 Mark 3 (not surprising given the price difference). The EAD presents the music with significantly more width, 'air' and precision when called for by the recording.

On the minus side, however, the Kandy is uptilted or bright with perceived bit of grain as well in the treble region. It posseses these qualities to the point of being fatiguing to me in my system as I am very irratated by treble brightness. In my system it is also lean, robbing the music of a bit of body and naturalness. My SS amplification and under-damped listening room be partly to blame. My rock and alternative recordings are also partly to blame. The Mimik 2 and EAD were both significantly more natural and full-bodied in their presentation in the midrange and treble regions. My views seem to correspond to online reviews at Audiophile Audition and Soundstage.com. Tube amplification may emeliorate the lean-ness and brightness as the aforementioned Soundstage.com review indicated the Kandy mated well with the slightly 'dark' and laid-back Kandy integrated amplifier. Note that I have never heard the Kandy amp but a dealer friend who carries Roksan confirmed that the Kandy amp is indeed a bit laid-back and 'dark'. Note that he also confirmed my perception of the treble brightness. I can say that the choice of NEC5532 output opamps is probably at least partially to blame for these issues per conversations I've had with a couple of digital modification companies.

The EAD DSP-7000 Mark 3 I auditioned the Kandy against was purchased in response to the lean, bright aspects of the Kandy.

Product Weakness: lean-ness and brightness (un-naturally so to me in my system)
Product Strengths: Build-quality; excellent "flat-earth" PRAT qualities and detail retrieval; decent soundstaging

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Simaudio Celeste 4070SE
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Simaudio Celeste 4001SE
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	See review
Speakers:	See review
Cables/Interconnects:	DH Labs T14 / BL-1 / D-75
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	See review
Room Size (LxWxH):	16 x 12 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	refer to owners system
Time Period/Length of Audition:	+3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	refer to owners system
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	lean-ness and brightness (un-naturally so to me in my system)
Product Strengths:	Build-quality; excellent "flat-earth" PRAT qualities and detail retrieval; decent soundstaging