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Roksan Kandy III speaker match

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Blainetoner
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Hi All,

 

I am planning to set up a dedicated listening room in my house in a medim to small sized space, and have a lot of verious bits of kit that I am planning to build a new system 

I have a Roksan Kandy mk III that with a pair of KEF Q55s that I have never been all that happy with. These are used in the living room with a Humax PVR and Apple TV. I also have an old pair of KEF C20s that got from aunt many years ago and set of hefty Atama speaker stands, but with a toddler in the living room, these live in our bedroom at the mo plugged into a Marantz PM66SE KI SIg. I also have a Marantz CD6000KI which is unfortunately broken by plan to get repaired....and also have rotel RA-931 amp that I have at work.

I listen to a lot of my music these days via the computer and Spotify (320kbps version) via air play to an Apple TV. or through the amp at work.

 

I am therefor on the look out for something that is going to provide a proper hifi sound that is also an upgrade to what I used to have. I am looking for a pair of speaker that will work perfectly in a small space and that will be happiest up against a wall. 

 

I am also planning on getting an Arcam rDac to sit between the computer and the amp.

 

Can anyone recommend either a new or 2nd hand pair of speakers that would work amazingly with one or any of the amps above? I listen to jazz, electronica, soul and classical.

 

Cheers in advance.

 

 

ifor
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RE: Roksan Kandy III speaker match

I use a pair of Spendor A5s with mine.

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Source 1) "Inspired" Manticore Mantra turntable c/w Rega RB 301 arm, Goldring 1042 MM Cartridge, Graham Slee Reflex M phono stage, Graham Slee CuSat 50 interconnect

Source 2) Cyrus CD8 SE CD player

Source 3) iTunes (ALAC), iMac, Devolo Homeplugs, Apple TV3, Toslink, Arcam rDAC

Source 4) Technics SL-7 linear tracking turntable.

Roksan Kandy L3 amp, Spendor A5 speakers.

Other rooms: more Airport Expresses and Homeplugs with Denon AV system and Denon Mini system. 

woodster
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RE: Roksan Kandy III speaker match

Roksan and B&W CM8's sound pretty sweet, especially with the Audiolab 8200, but pretty fine with sonos, or spotify streamed via apple tv also.

All round I love the match, sweet sound and pretty aesthetically pleasing also.

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System1-Roksan Kandy L3 amp, Audiolab 8200 CD, B&W CM8's, Sonos zp90, Appletv  for spotify via macbook pro. Russ Andrews Classic PowerKord on Roksan & Audiolab.

System2-Marantz cd603, airplay via mac, Sonos zp90, Q Acoustics 2010

Home cinema-Pioneer vsx2020, virgin tivo, Boxee, pioneer bluray, humax hdsat pvr, kef3005 speakers, wdtv live, lg590 50 TV

Games room- pana 42" tv, ps3, sony reciever, humax freeview box, ma speakers, Sonos zp90

Master bedroom- Sonos zp120, Cyrus CD8 SE, Linn Kelidh speakers, Pioneer 26" tv, Panasonic bluray, virgin tv box. All rooms fed 30 mb broadband via homeplugs

Blainetoner
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RE: Roksan Kandy III speaker match

Thanks for the replies....

 

Due to the size of the room, I need something that is a litle smaller and that arent relient on being in a bit of free air....and can sit against a wall more happily than something with a rear port.

 

My budget is £3-400. Wondering if getting a set of B&W685s or KEFQ300s would be the best thing to go for, or if there's something that could be got 2nd hand that would give me something better? I think my main concern is the rear wall thing.

Dougal1331
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RE: Roksan Kandy III speaker match

You should get a pair of Dynaudio Audience 42/52 second hand for that money...

Also, look out for specials on the (current range) DM2/6- slightly over your budget but I reckon they'd tick yer boxes.

Imagine they'd work well with either amp, but my judgement is based on the Roksan- I used to own one!

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Arcam CD72, Rotel RA02/RB03 biamp, TDL Studio 0.5 (or Wharfedale Coleridge- currently undergoing surgery...), QED Revelation s/c, Qunex 4S ics.

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Blainetoner
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RE: Roksan Kandy III speaker match

Thanks for that. I have always been a fan of those Dynaudios....I remember reading reviews of them when they came out and wanting a pair. How are they on placement? Are they ok up against a wall?

 

Also always liked the original Quad 11Ls as well as 21Ls......Wonder'd if anyone had experience of these with the Kandy and if they could be placed agaisnt a wall ok?

plastic penguin
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RE: Roksan Kandy III speaker match

Certainly Kef or Monitor Audio. Have heard that Quad are a good match.

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Leema Pulse MKII-S; Naim CD5i MKII; Denon TU-260L MKII; MA RS6 speakers; Pro-ject Xpression 1; loads of different cables...

 

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jimmylee73
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RE: Roksan Kandy III speaker match

Hi Blainetoner,

I have a pair of Quad 22L2. Last year these were hooked up to a Kandy MK111. They sounded pretty good. 

I am now using them with a Leema Pulse and I've experienced an improvement, especially with bass control but that was expected.

The Kandy/Quad combination worked well and the Kandy certainly was gutsy enough to drive them.

With the quads, room accoustics are quite important and they need space around them. I have high ceilings, suspended timber floor, large bay window and bare walls and don't think this does anything for the sound and is something I intend to address!