Roksan Kandy K2 CDS review

The new version of the K2 is all gain with no pain – if only that pesky Cyrus CD 6 SE wasn't around... Tested at £895.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

The tweaked version of the K2 is a fabulous buy – yet one particular rival does it even better

Pros

  • +

    Adds greater precision and attack to its predecessor's impressive scale and refinement

  • +

    solid build

  • +

    great remote

Cons

  • -

    The fascia is still cluttered

  • -

    Cyrus' CD 6 SE still sounds better

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Roksan is well-known for tweaking its products to eek out greater performance and the Kandy K2 is the most recent model to get this treatment.

Changes include a new CD mechanism, improved power supplies and noise isolation, as well as a more stable master clock circuit, apparently.

Roksan claims these changes result in greater detail retrieval, dynamics and timing – and that assessment is spot on. Play Simian Mobile Disco's unashamedly poppy Audacity of Huge, and this latest Kandy demonstrates levels of attack that its predecessor fell short of.

As vocally refined as ever
The dance beat bounces along with infectious voracity, but the refinement that the K2's famed for hasn't been sacrificed, so when you switch to Imogen Heap's First Train Home, the vocals are as smooth, sweet and emotive as they should be.

In addition, you get impressive scale and dynamics. This results in a rousingly grand rendition of Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries, with the tuba and bass drum thumping menacingly, and the peaks and troughs relayed with epic accuracy.

Does all this mean the latest K2 is the perfect all-rounder? To an extent, yes, but the Cyrus CD 6 SE still maintains its star-sized lead, thanks to even greater detail and neutrality.

Still, if the Cyrus is simply too intense for you, the Roksan remains the second-best sub-£1000 player available.

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What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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