WHAT SOUND STYLE IS THE ROKSAN KANDY K2 AMPLIFIER (PLEASE NO GO DEMO IT COMMENTS)? :)

[stuartayling]

 

[GMK]

I find it's quite shouty

 

[visionary]

:rofl:

 

[BigH]

So you are buying blind?

I would say its pretty full sound, lots of bass but a bit lacking in detail and clarity but Ive only heard it twice. If you don't need the power I would consider the Creek 50A.

 

[stuartayling]

whoops darn caps lock - not shouting intended

 

[drummerman]

Much depends on the speakers you use but it usually fared quite decent in group test with similarely priced products.

Criticisms, if I remember right, were a slightly loose bass and a sound placed slightly more forward than some others which kind of sums up what I thought when I had it at home with the matching cd player a long time ago.

I didn't like it to much. It seemed to lack some control and muddled things a little up but detail per se, at least the mids and highs, were fine if I remember right. It is a little bit voiced like a lot of speakers these days ... for that show room 'wow' factor but at least it didn't sound 'edgy'.

Worth keeping in mind that the next amplifier up in Roksans portfolio actually has less power on paper but according to the makers, substantially more control and substance. That and other associated benefits come from good power supplies and circuit design. - Still, I guess for the price it is not a bad amplifier.

regards

 

[stuartayling]

I was planning to use it with Kef R100 speakers, can get it ex dem 3yr warrenty delivered for £550

 

[BigH]

I was planning to use it with Kef R100 speakers, can get it ex dem 3yr warrenty delivered for £550

Not bad although you can get it new for £645 with same warranty I believe. Its not the price so much as whether you like the sound. Why not demo?

 

[Philim]

Dont buy it....

 

[SteveR750]

Strong powerful sound, little lacking in bass detail, but it's a great smooth allrounder without being too sleepy. I had one for a couple of years and really liked it (and demoed it against Arcam and Naim at similar price).

 

[plastic penguin]

I was planning to use it with Kef R100 speakers, can get it ex dem 3yr warrenty delivered for £550

Very good amp. A pretty attacking amp with loads of power with a touch of smoothness, should match well with trasparent speakers. So I personally wouldn't match it with warm monitors.

Although the K2 is sterling amp, IMO I prefer the older LIII. Not sure why TBH, apart from, maybe, the LIII has a slight rawness to its presentation. Actually rawness isn't really the right word. To me the LIII seems a little more fun, allied to the fact it looks nicer IMHO.

 

[Philim]

I was planning to use it with Kef R100 speakers, can get it ex dem 3yr warrenty delivered for £550

Very good amp. A pretty attacking amp with loads of power with a touch of smoothness, should match well with trasparent speakers. So I personally wouldn't match it with warm monitors.

Although the K2 is sterling amp, IMO I prefer the older LIII. Not sure why TBH, apart from, maybe, the LIII has a slight rawness to its presentation. Actually rawness isn't really the right word. To me the LIII seems a little more fun, allied to the fact it looks nicer IMHO.

I am sorry but it is not a very good amp yes it has plenty of power and sounds initially very impressive but the sound quality is cr@p.

 

[plastic penguin]

I was planning to use it with Kef R100 speakers, can get it ex dem 3yr warrenty delivered for £550

Very good amp. A pretty attacking amp with loads of power with a touch of smoothness, should match well with trasparent speakers. So I personally wouldn't match it with warm monitors.

Although the K2 is sterling amp, IMO I prefer the older LIII. Not sure why TBH, apart from, maybe, the LIII has a slight rawness to its presentation. Actually rawness isn't really the right word. To me the LIII seems a little more fun, allied to the fact it looks nicer IMHO.

I am sorry but it is not a very good amp yes it has plenty of power and sounds initially very impressive but the sound quality is cr@p.

No need to apologise. Everyone has there own views on likes and dislikes. Rather than just say the Roksan is "rubbish" could you explain which aspects of the Kandy's presentation that doesn't do it for you? Never know it may actually be helpful to someone.

 

[Philim]

I was planning to use it with Kef R100 speakers, can get it ex dem 3yr warrenty delivered for £550

Very good amp. A pretty attacking amp with loads of power with a touch of smoothness, should match well with trasparent speakers. So I personally wouldn't match it with warm monitors.

Although the K2 is sterling amp, IMO I prefer the older LIII. Not sure why TBH, apart from, maybe, the LIII has a slight rawness to its presentation. Actually rawness isn't really the right word. To me the LIII seems a little more fun, allied to the fact it looks nicer IMHO.

I am sorry but it is not a very good amp yes it has plenty of power and sounds initially very impressive but the sound quality is cr@p.

No need to apologise. Everyone has there own views on likes and dislikes. Rather than just say the Roksan is "rubbish" could you explain which aspects of the Kandy's presentation that doesn't do it for you? Never know it may actually be helpful to someone.

I thought i had.

I have owned the kandy and the power amp the level of detail and clarity was so poor that i went to the dealers to change my speakers. Originally thinking that a 5 star amp would not perform as such. It was only after spending day in the dealers listening to several speaker and amp combos did it become clear that the kandy was the issue. I have had 2 seperate dealers express their confusion as to why the kandy gets such good reviews - both were roksan dealers.

As everyone says on here please get out and demo. Not once but several times at different dealers asthey vary between trying to sell you what they make most money on to being so customer friendly that they avoid giving you direct advice. Let your own ears guide you but spend some time getting it right in the first place. I learnt by expensive experience. A lot of people on here will say the kandy is a great amp because in comparison to their previous one box budget stereo it was. I am just suggesting there is better for the money.

 

[plastic penguin]

I was planning to use it with Kef R100 speakers, can get it ex dem 3yr warrenty delivered for £550

Very good amp. A pretty attacking amp with loads of power with a touch of smoothness, should match well with trasparent speakers. So I personally wouldn't match it with warm monitors.

Although the K2 is sterling amp, IMO I prefer the older LIII. Not sure why TBH, apart from, maybe, the LIII has a slight rawness to its presentation. Actually rawness isn't really the right word. To me the LIII seems a little more fun, allied to the fact it looks nicer IMHO.

I am sorry but it is not a very good amp yes it has plenty of power and sounds initially very impressive but the sound quality is cr@p.

No need to apologise. Everyone has there own views on likes and dislikes. Rather than just say the Roksan is "rubbish" could you explain which aspects of the Kandy's presentation that doesn't do it for you? Never know it may actually be helpful to someone.

I thought i had.

I have owned the kandy and the power amp the level of detail and clarity was so poor that i went to the dealers to change my speakers. Originally thinking that a 5 star amp would not perform as such. It was only after spending day in the dealers listening to several speaker and amp combos did it become clear that the kandy was the issue. I have had 2 seperate dealers express their confusion as to why the kandy gets such good reviews - both were roksan dealers.

As everyone says on here please get out and demo. Not once but several times at different dealers asthey vary between trying to sell you what they make most money on to being so customer friendly that they avoid giving you direct advice. Let your own ears guide you but spend some time getting it right in the first place. I learnt by expensive experience. A lot of people on here will say the kandy is a great amp because in comparison to their previous one box budget stereo it was. I am just suggesting there is better for the money.

Which amps did you prefer over the Kandy?

IME there's little between amps in their given price point. Tonally is the biggest variation, followed by a little clarity and detail. I've always found the Kandy (K2 and LIII) to have ample detail across the frequency. In fact I've commented on here many times that the LIII was a little boisterous with certain music (and on my MAs).

 

[Philim]

I dont have enough experience of the whole range of amps to give a considered enough opinion if i am honest and i take your point at this price range.

If it was my money i would do a 2nd hand nait xs which is the same price as a kandy.

 

[BigH]

Think the Creek Evo has been replaced by the 50A now?

The 50A is a fine amp but only 50W pc.

 

[plastic penguin]

I dont have enough experience of the whole range of amps to give a considered enough opinion if i am honest and i take your point at this price range.

If it was my money i would do a 2nd hand nait xs which is the same price as a kandy.

BTW, what amp do you currently own?

Out of the amps in the Kandy price bracket (£650-£900), I've had personal experience of Cyrus 8VS2, Primare i21, Audo Analogue Crescendo, Rotel RA-06, Marantz 8003, Arcam A18 and Creek Evo2.

My top 4 with my kit:

1) Creek

2)Roksan LIII

3)Arcam

4)Audio Analogue

The only amp I've ever been scathing about is the Naim Nait 5i. That was because it made me physically unwell.

 

[plastic penguin]

Think the Creek Evo has been replaced by the 50A now?

The 50A is a fine amp but only 50W pc.

I know - still one of my favourite sub-£1000 integrated amps.

 

[Philim]

I dont have enough experience of the whole range of amps to give a considered enough opinion if i am honest and i take your point at this price range.

If it was my money i would do a 2nd hand nait xs which is the same price as a kandy.

BTW, what amp do you currently own?

Out of the amps in the Kandy price bracket (£650-£900), I've had personal experience of Cyrus 8VS2, Primare i21, Audo Analogue Crescendo, Rotel RA-06, Marantz 8003, Arcam A18 and Creek Evo2.

My top 4 with my kit:

1) Creek

2)Roksan LIII

3)Arcam

4)Audio Analogue

The only amp I've ever been scathing about is the Naim Nait 5i. That was because it made me physically unwell.

Lol i wouldnt say the 5i was bad but i get what you mean.

 

[plastic penguin]

I dont have enough experience of the whole range of amps to give a considered enough opinion if i am honest and i take your point at this price range.

If it was my money i would do a 2nd hand nait xs which is the same price as a kandy.

BTW, what amp do you currently own?

Out of the amps in the Kandy price bracket (£650-£900), I've had personal experience of Cyrus 8VS2, Primare i21, Audo Analogue Crescendo, Rotel RA-06, Marantz 8003, Arcam A18 and Creek Evo2.

My top 4 with my kit:

1) Creek

2)Roksan LIII

3)Arcam

4)Audio Analogue

The only amp I've ever been scathing about is the Naim Nait 5i. That was because it made me physically unwell.

Lol i wouldnt say the 5i was bad but i get what you mean.

After listening to the Naim with my old Arcam CD73 and RS6s the Naim bludgeoned the music. Never heard such boomy bass before or since. It physically gave me a migraine.

Have to confess heard the same amp with my CDP (CD5i-2) with PMC and MonoPulse speakers and it sounded good. The only time I'd advise the Naim amp is with forgiving speakers and sibling CDP.

 

[Philim]

I dont have enough experience of the whole range of amps to give a considered enough opinion if i am honest and i take your point at this price range.

If it was my money i would do a 2nd hand nait xs which is the same price as a kandy.

BTW, what amp do you currently own?

Out of the amps in the Kandy price bracket (£650-£900), I've had personal experience of Cyrus 8VS2, Primare i21, Audo Analogue Crescendo, Rotel RA-06, Marantz 8003, Arcam A18 and Creek Evo2.

My top 4 with my kit:

1) Creek

2)Roksan LIII

3)Arcam

4)Audio Analogue

The only amp I've ever been scathing about is the Naim Nait 5i. That was because it made me physically unwell.

Lol i wouldnt say the 5i was bad but i get what you mean.

After listening to the Naim with my old Arcam CD73 and RS6s the Naim bludgeoned the music. Never heard such boomy bass before or since. It physically gave me a migraine.

Have to confess heard the same amp with my CDP (CD5i-2) with PMC and MonoPulse speakers and it sounded good. The only time I'd advise the Naim amp is with forgiving speakers and sibling CDP.

The xs is a much better amp than the 5i. I didnt like the 5i either

 

[audioaddict]

before i went all one boxy i was toying with getting the marantz pearl lite which many forum members highly recommend as well as getting superb reviews...i liked the kandy also but as someone mentioned on here on a first audition amazing but hearing it a few more.times.not so good..also pp mentioned the creek which is an awsome amp too...ive still heard any naim equipment to see what all the fuss is about

 

[stevebrock]

Come on PP you gotta love a bit of Naim especialy the look of it

 

[stuartayling]

No options to demo so I've ordered both the Roksan K2 and the Arcam A19 both with big discounts so hopefully the loser will be sold on after my extended AB tests