Roksan Kandy K2 BT Initial Impressions Review

[Vladimir]

:clap: Hi everyone and happy holidays! :beer: I hope you are all enjoying yourselves with great food and even more importantly - great music.

I'll be most definitely enjoying with good tunes since 48 hours ago my new amp just came in, the Roksan Kandy K2 BT (Bluetooth). :rockout:

THE SOUND

I won't wax poetic I'll just give my first impressions, which are all positive as the amp is playing and opening up every day bit more. The amp is smooth, detailed and has quite good PRaT to my liking. It is very forgiving for bad recordings and badly produced music. It doesn't shout and growl at me. Its soo smooth, like milk and honey. God I love MOSFET. ray:

At first it felt a bit too smooth and rounded, loosing some textures and timbre of live instruments that I got used to with brighter amps and midrange hyped speakers. But as more as I play music through it I hear improvements and everything is balancing out, of course I had to do some speaker repositioning as well. The dark character of my B&Ws is predominant here, regardless of amps.

So the acoustics is to my nitpicking satisfaction. Dynamics? This is not a Roksan, this is Rocky Balboa, it punches some heat. Quite powerful, driving my inefficient (effectively 81db) B&W CM1 speakers without breaking a sweat, it doesn't even get mildly warm. I connected it to my vintage 4 ohm compression box Acoustic Research AR-11B's and it drove them just as easily as the B&Ws.

I've been playing Otis Taylor's discography for two days very very loud and damn this amp likes to boogie. :dance: Look up Otis Taylor - Ain't No Cowgirl on youtube.

THE MACHINE

Looks wise I was surprised that I liked the silver version more than the black since I had the opposite appeal comparing the amps online. It's not tacky and does not look like satellite dish receiver as I expected. It is quite elegant and pleasant to look at.

It's heavy at some 14kg, it is solidly built and all buttons, switches, jacks etc. feel excellent and robust. I'm used to vintage "built like a Sherman tank" vintage amps so this is important for me.

Under the hood, I could only peak through the vents and I see a new motorized volume pot, which is better than the one in the original K2. It used to have a normal carbon track volume pot, which I dislike, now they have ALPS 325M 50KAX2. The Transformer is still a huge (now bigger) NORATEL with 550VA. All the 8 MOSFETs are still there and the amp now has upped to 5 regulated supply rails. Mmmm geek porn... :shifty: Lots of quality relays and VRs, so my OCD was calmed down. I would prefer all of the caps to be Panasonic and UCC, no occasional Samwha, but I'm not complaining considering the price I paid for the unit was 840GBP with a 5 year waranty.

There is a new remote, this time without the annoying touch display and beeping. It is a decent thin, elegant, push button Universal Learning Remote. You can actually plug a USB cable in the battery area and program your remote online for its functions. It comes preprogrammed with bunch of stuff. I noticed that when I click the Bluetooth on/off button it doesn't work, so I went ahead and reset it all and just kept the K2 functions and voila!

Using the BT is the easiest thing in the world, I was just confused that it worked out so simply. I just clicked BT on the remote, then looked for a device in my phone, mated it with the Roksan (2 seconds) and clicked play and it just played music. Sounds great even if it was mp3. If the phone or your PC bluetooth dongle supports Apt-X ( BT 4.0 ) you can play FLAC files at lossless CD quality of 16/44.1. Sound is as good as Audioquest Dragonfly to my ears. :shhh:

Cheers from Macedonia.

Vlad

 

[plastic penguin]

Welcome Vladimir, and hope you're enjoying the festivities.

Yes, when I heard the K2 it's a powerful beast, nicely detailed and great with certain types. I just found over period of time, not as long as you, the Kandy just seemed to be missing something with my old Monitor Audio RS6s. TBH, I'm still not sure what that something is. All I can say is the Leema had that little wow factor by comparison, just a little more of most things, except output.

Nevertheless, the K2 is still a cracking amp for the money and it will only sound better over the next couple of weeks.

Enjoy the music.

 

[Vladimir]

Hi PP,

Thanks for the welcome mate. :cheers:

No dealer for that Leema where I'm at, but love the looks of it in the magazines.

I have more than one hifi setup and I wanted one that is fun and non fatiguing that I can listen to all day. I was spoiled with choice at this price range (up to 1000 GBP) and for me the Roksan has that special something as I'm sure your amp has for you.

Cheers

 

[plastic penguin]

I believe that the speakers were to blame for the Kandy sounding a bit too rounded. Also, when I heard the Kandy LIII with the same speakers it sounded a little boisterous, especially with some rock music.

Although the Leema sounded more alive than the Kandy, you have to bear in mind the Leema originally sold for £1200 GBP, whereas the K2 was £750 GBP (now it's around £800 (I think).

Certainly in the sub£1000 pound bracket the Kandy, along with Creek Evo2 remain my favourite amps.

 

[Vladimir]

I see. Well usually speaker positioning solves a lot of problems but not many have enough elbow room (read WAF) in their living space so people resort to swapping gear, cables, carts etc. I was lucky enough to shop for an amp with no such compromise in mind.

For 1200 GBP I would most definitely buy the Caspian. I liked it but its not what I was aiming at - finding a smooth partner for my CM1s. Would be an overkill for them IMO.

 

[plastic penguin]

I did experiement with speaker position but didn't solve the very slight issue I had with both Kandys.

When I purchased the Pulse I did compare it to the Caspian and Naim XS, and to be honest, sound quality-wise there little to choose between the three amps. What swayed it for me was the Leema's built-in phono stage and in terms of SQ the fast accurate bass.

But within that price bracket it was a very togh call.

I'm genuinely happy you're pleased with the Kandy. It's always nice to hear of people happy with their purchases.

 

[Tacty]

congrats, you are the first whos describe sound of b&w as dark in my book, they are typical example of bright sound...

congrats on kandy...i was listening plain version of k2 and i have to tell something is missing as well...but, are happy and that's the most important thing...

 

[Vladimir]

Hi Tacty,

I refered to my CM1s as being darker due to the upper midrange dip.

Those that found the K2 unexciting were possibly looking for more gain in the midrange. When I apply this EQ I get the Naim Nait 5si "vivid" bipolar transistor sound.

http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/5701/zisr.png

I much prefer MOSFETs for my CM1's, and the Kandy K2 is a bloody good one.

Thats how this hobby sucks you dry. Its an upgrade after upgrade chasing the "special something" and no bit of kit is definite. There is always something better out there for your ears, but rarely for your pocket. Considering the sweet bluetooth apt-x integrated DAC in the Kandy this amp is unmatched value for money IMO. 250 euros saved on buying a DAC alone!

 

[plastic penguin]

Thats how this hobby sucks you dry. Its an upgrade after upgrade chasing the "special something" and no bit of kit is definite. There is always something better out there for your ears, but rarely for your pocket. Considering the sweet bluetooth apt-x integrated DAC in the Kandy this amp is unmatched value for money IMO. 250 euros saved on buying a DAC alone!

Not sure about upgrade after upgrade. I can only speak personally, but you instantly know if a amp, CD, speakers etc sounds right. I've had my Leema since 2010, my old MAs for 6 years and previous Arcam amps for 14 years.

Think the trick (if a trick actually exists) is to dem until you find the right combo.

BTW, don't think the UK version of the K2 has BT capability.

 

[Vladimir]

You are one lucky penguin. I have the hedonistic urge to want more. :doh:

BTW there is no UK version that I know of. :? Looks like its the same amp I got. http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/roksan-kandy-k2-bt-integrated-amplifier

This BT stuff is brilliant. I don't have to yank the PC or the CDP each time I want good tunes. The phone is usually always with me and even I don't have to haul the amp remote, I just adjust volume on the phone. Good lazy happy times.

Cheers.

 

[plastic penguin]

You are one lucky penguin. I have the hedonistic urge to want more. :doh:

Cheers.

I've always said on here that the Leema is a genuine keeper. It's that good IMO. To replace it would have to be something very special (and expensive).

 

[Vladimir]

Good for you PP.

I would go for the better Roksan Caspian M2 at that price range. I like powerfull and refined sound as its sonic performance competes above its class. Better than a Naim Supernait to my ears (through the Spendor A6).

I'm not a fan of lightweight amps.

 

[plastic penguin]

The Leema isn't a lightweight. It doesn't have quite the bass depth of the Caspian, Naim XS... but it certainly makes up for it with bass reach and punch. It terms output the Leema is slightly more powerful than the Caspian (paper spec). TBH, any of those aforementioned amps would not be a disappointment.

Have given thought to Electrocompaniet EC1-3, but whether it would give me the upgrade I would need to splash the cash is another question.

 

[Vladimir]

Just pulling your tail Mr. Penguin, a bit of tongue-in-cheek.

You're alright mate and I appreciate your comments. Enjoy the music. :rockout:

Cheers

PS

Easy to spot the new K2 Bluetooth is with the new hood ornamet. Here is a photo I made. http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2992/lxxd.png

Here is a cool advertizement three students from UK made about the Roksan Kandy K2. :O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meJ84YIRLU0

John is obviosly drunk, can't think straight. :dance:

 

[plastic penguin]

Try and post some pictures in 'Your System' section. Would be good to see your set-up in situ. :cheers:

 

[Vladimir]

Will do, but should tidy up a bit first. Might take a while since I'm a bachelor.

 

[Vladimir]

Using the remote I noticed that the Kandy K2 BT doesn't like to be rushed, it is not as quickly responsive as digital equipment (CD, DVD, receivers). All the input selectors are relays (the best way to do it for sound quality) and you can't rush their mechanical operation. So no nervous pushing of 5 buttons at a time folks.

In day 4 the sound has really opened up and lots of nice exciting upper frequencies come up and more bass texture. But still the sound is smooth and enjoyable for loud listening for hours with no fatigue.

This is the first amp that I bought that required speaker repositioning. The speakers really demand to expand the soundstage and now I'm preoccupied playing with them. Every miniscule movement of the speakers gives very different audible results.

Thats good!

:type:

 

[Vladimir]

I just noticed on the back of my Roksan there is a different power rating than the one I read in the manual and different to the updated one online among the distributors and the official Roksan website.

The old Roksan Kandy K2 was 125W in 8 ohms and 190W in 4 ohms.

The new Roksan Kandy K2 BT was announced with 140W in 8 ohms and 250W in 4 ohms. These figures appear in the user manual I got with my amp, as well as on photos of the back of the amp on distributors websites.

The distributors published different official numbers on their product specifications: 150W in 8 ohms and 300W in 4 ohms (doubling down!).

I realise it has 8 power mosfet transistors (Toshiba 2SK1529 and 2SJ200) like the ones used in the Nelson Pass First Watt - F5 Turbo... but kinda felt its too much power for an integrated.

And now I find on the back of the amp a power rating of 175W per channel in 8 ohms! :O At this point I am tempted to unscrew the cover and look for bags of cocain stashed in there. ray:

Final thoughts.

God it sounds so good! I think the burn-in period is finished. I'm burning up! I wish I heard the old K2 so I can make a comparison for you guys but its my first Roksan. And I love it. I love it, just as it loves music. I'm just very happy.

I've been listening to everything from music genres. Buika, Eric Clapton, Janine Jansen, Keith Jarrett, Kula Shaker, Miles Davis, Muddy Waters, Sviatoslav Richter, Glenn Gould, Pink Floyd, Led Zepp, Gary Clark Jr. , Otis Taylor, Kings of Leon, Radiohead, Paco de Lucia, Gus Gus, Autechre, Spektre, Sub Focus etc etc... It sounded wonderfull with all of them, at quiet or very loud levels.

If you bought this amp and you are worried it sounds bit too bassy, too warm, muddled, or bright, or dry etc. allow it at least a week to open up and you will hear it truly sing. Then its speaker repositioning time, without exception it is a must for everyone. Even few inches change big with speaker positioning and room acoustics.

I can finally conclude and say I recommend this amp, especially for speakers that need very firm yet gentle touch. The Roksan Kandy K2 BT is a smooth operator.

Cheers and thanks for reading. I hope this thread ends up somewhat useful to folks. I wish more people made detailed reviews after they buy a product and not as much "what to buy" threads, even if the subjective reviews are amateurish and weird like this one.

:cheers:

 

[ISAC69]

I used to have the Kandy K2 till I upgraded it for the Rotel 1580 + 1582 pre/power and I must say that there is no better option than the Kandy in

this price level . Glad you like it :dance:

 

[tonky]

I would say that in the Kandy K2 sub 1000£ range I would also listen to the

Cambridge Audio 851A

Marantz Pearl lite

Richer Sounds stocks all 3 - arrange a listen with your speakers. Richer Sounds are very accomodating.

All 3 amps are very very good and your choice would most likely be speaker dependant

tonky

 

[Vladimir]

I wondered why playing FLAC files at 16bit/44.1kHz through the Kandy K2 BT bluetooth connection sounded so good. Its not my first time playing music on a bluetooth wireless connections on other devices, but it usually sounded a bit like covered with a wet blanket.

Just read in the dutch hi-fi news that the CSR Apt-X bluetooth streaming for Roksan (first appeared in the Oxygen series) was developed together with the German Hi-End manufacturer Burmester.

According to the dates of origin I presume its the bluetooth Apt-X streaming circuit from the Burmester 113 that they used.

I used an HTC One to stream FLAC files to full quality (has bluetooth 4.0 and Apt-X). But now I got me a cheap but usefull PC bluetooth dongle that transmits with bluetooth Apt-X straight from my laptop, where all mu music files are. I ordered it from ebay for 6.5$ and it works brilliantly. Woohoo!

I got me a £2300 Burmester 113!

Well, almost. :rofl:

 

[Vladimir]

New review about the Roksan Kandy K2 BT in Hi-Fi Choice.

http://www.roksan.co.uk/assets/roksan_high_res.pdf

I noticed few mistakes regarding the specs in the article. The transformer is 550VA in the BT edition and the power rating is 175W p/c RMS in 8 ohms and 300W p/c RMS in 4 ohms.

There is a review in Hi-Fi World as well but I don't have a link to that one. I'll post it if it becomes available.

 

[Vladimir]

And here is finaly the WHF review, sadly for Roksan an ego shattering 4 star verdict. http://www.whathifi.com/review/kandy-k2-bt :boohoo:

Seems boys over at WHF liked the old and less well built Kandy K2 better. Considering the manufacturer addressed the issues John Atkinson had in the K2 Stereophile review and beyond, I bet now Stereophile would up one "star".

Just to point out the review in WHF of the K2 BT had wrong specs since Roksan tweaked the amp further and came to 175W p/c in 8 ohms and 300W p/c in 4 ohms.

As for myself, I am now complete WHF 4 star man. I'll have to live somehow with this terrible, terrible system. Although I would like to address the WHF staff that I too in the first 3 weeks had the same impression when I had the amp, it was very powerfull but blunt, all the finesse on the edges was not to my expectations.

Well 4 months of total ownership this amp is now detailed, fine timbre of instruments is portraid to my satisfaction. The longer I use it, the better it gets. I listen occassionally to other amps and I notice although they may seem more exciting and colorfull, they all feel underpowered, lacking controll and mind piercingly bright and colored in the upper midrange.

So the Roksan Kandy K2 BT is the strong silent type (a true MOSFET?) and not as ladida engaging as most budget amps under 1K. Have to say there is a resemblance to Electrocompaniet and maybe this is why there is a good synergy with my B&W.

Any other K2 BT owners thoughts are also welcome. The cry tissue box is in the corner.

 

[rymidd]

i had the old k2 when i heard the new bt version when i did a side by side test with a range of speakers i like the k2 BT alot more, the old k2 to me sounded a bit slow. The new one is more detailed and more fun sounding, so i upgraded got the amp new for £799.

 

[Vladimir]

The K2 BT uses 680uF United Chemi-Con GPA series caps in the power amp instead of the old 100uF Samwhas found in normal Kandy K2. GPA series is rated 125 °C. Those are expensive and high performance caps for this price class and so are the Panasonic FC and Elna Silmic II, the Schrack and Axicom relays, and obviosly the huge custom Noratel transformer. Very important they changed the ALPS carbon track volume pot to an ALPS conductive plastic one.

I am quite happy with the upgrades Roksan made from K2 to K2 BT as for the looks I began to love it. Black separates seem so generic and pointless now.

I wouldn't change the K2 BT for a Naim XS, like AMG Mercedes for a Caterham 7.