Sweet Like Kandy...

[Juicester]

if anyone is in the market for a tasty integrated stereo amplifier with HT Bypass, I can add one to your audition list.

The new Roksan K2 amp! I've been following the roksan gear for a while - but never jumped on board because the the previous MKLiii (think that was the model) didn't have the all important HT bypass function. I'd say this one looks to be a real winner. Check out the product brochure below for more info.

product brochure

RRP is 750 pounds - So I'd be expecting it at around the 2k mark over here.

This puts it in competition with the other ones I'm considering:

Naim Nait 5i

Arcam FMJ A28

Cambridge Audio 840Av2

All of which are fine integrateds, but perhaps the Kandy is a "sweeter" deal. Can't wait for an audition (don't think they've made it to convictland yet!).

edit* : at least, on reading i think it has ht bypass.... maybe i've misread though. happy for someone to confirm with me on this!

Edited September 25, 2008 by jcjuice

[Gutty]

Yeah, seems to have a bypass input.

[betty boop]

good to see roksan is perhaps adding the very important feature to its list. I'd confirm in demo on how it works though to be sure

quite a departure in styling for roksan there jc. really like nothing theyve put out before. under hte hood is some good engineering and design there.

ps if looking around the $2k mark, keep in mind some of the now retired musical fidelity amps the lieks of the a3.5, a308, or maybe if you lucky in the high 2's maybe even a a5 all of which superb integrateds. there is also the now reborn a1 amp that comes wiht ht bypass but a low power class A amp it might be one more for the mf fans reliving old memories . also keep an eye out for the now replaced arcam a90 2ch integrated, which also with processor pass thru like other arcams and would be superb buying in $2k or maybe even less mark if can find second hand or ex demo

not sure on availablity of roksan over here in oz, have seen some spuratic products here and there over the years. do make sure you demo with your bookshelves, some like the naim can have quite a charecteristic sound. I heard an 805s fed by a full naim complement many times its price and sounded superb so a combination that can work. but thi kind of stuff very much down to pers pref

[Jeffie1503561482]

How funny i was just looking these up yesterday and was going to ask about local availability on here.

they also have a matching (with the old kandy anyway) 3 channel power amp to accompany it.

I wanted to find a brands setup (of integrated + CDP) that i liked the sound of and start to build...

[Juicester]

Update in terms of availability - I had a chat with the Australian Distributor who didn't even know it'd come out yet. After a bit more research he estimates our shores won't be seeing this until Jan-Feb 09 at the earliest. The unit isn't acutally going into production until October this year, and they will no doubt be servicing the European and American market before ours. This is good for me! Gives me time to start saving up the dosh!

What's weird is that it isn't even up on the Roksan website - yet you can purchase it from online stores in the UK!

(i think it gets a guernsey in the reviews section on the roksan site, but not in the products section.)

Cheers.

[Juicester]

whilst waiting on this amp to make it's way to oz -

Rega Mira 3

Arcam A 90

and MF 3.5

have been added to the audition list. All of which have the HT bypass function. (at least, i think they do - not %100 sure on the Rega).

may take me a while to listen to them all, but after hearing how much difference even a cheap amp (the RA 04 from Rotel) made to my 705's - I can't wait to hear one of these mid priced ones.

[yamapro]

MMM love the Arcam A90 - i have secretly lusted over this for ages! And the MF gear is gorgeous too...almost an A5

(Don't mean to leave the Rega out but i really like the other two on your list...) Both Arcam and MF are beautifully made and engineered and come bundled with astronomical levels of pride of ownership IMHO

[Andre281503560612]

if its 750 pounds i wouldn't be suprised if it came in here at closer to $2500.

[Juicester]

well my post was written before our dollar took a nose dive...