Roksan Kandy K2 Best amplifier Awards 2011

Roksan Kandy K2 amp

For
Brilliant all-round sound; unfussy with partnering equipment and music; great build
Against
The distinctive new look means it won’t be a good visual match with third-party components

It's a sometimes strange existence being a What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Product of the Year. Sure, there's the kudos and the acclaim, but there's also the knowledge that you're basically there to be shot at.

Take this Roksan Kandy K2 amplifier, for example: every time we take delivery of a £700-ish stereo amp, the 2008 incumbent is racked up once again to see if it's finally met its match.
Looks-wise, you make your own mind up – the K2 is mildly divisive in these parts, chiefly because a) it's mirrored; b) the volume control clings to the fascia like a bottle-top to a bottle; and c) everything happens down at one end of the box.

In spec terms, though, it's on surer ground: the remote control is excellent, a (moving magnet) phono stage is always welcome, and the power output looks extremely promising.

Switching to The Blue Aeroplanes' Huh! shows the K2 off to even greater effect.

For an amplifier that gives every impression of being quite relaxed and easy to listen to, the Roksan can be ferociously fast and attacking when required.

SPECIFICATION

Inputs Line Level (x5), Moving Magnet (x1), Tape (x1), Bypass (x1)
Input Impedance 47 kΩ
Input Sensitivity (70W) (120W) Line 470mV
Line Outputs Tape, Preamplifier (x2)
Output Voltage 240mV (Tape Out)
700mV (Pre Out)
Power Outputs Loudspeaker, L & R
Output Power >125 Watts, into 8 Ohms
both channels driven
>190 Watts, into 4 Ohms
both channels driven
Power Supply 500VA Ultra Low Noise Toroidal Transformer
4 Regulated Supply Rails
Current Output 50 Amps Peak to Peak
Damping Factor >110 (8 Ohms)
Frequency Response (-3dB), 100kHz
Gain 37.3dB Overall (Pre & Power)
5.7dB Preamplifier
31.6dB Power Amplifier
Harmonic Distortion