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Review 3 of 23
Price Paid:
$500.00
from www.audiogon.com Summary: This review is for the Roksan Caspian Power Amplifier and not the Integrated Version.
My system is composed of the following: Arcam FMJ CD23 cd player (with original factory installed feet removed and replace by 4 size 2 viprapods), Mission 783 speakers (spikes removed), Arcam AVR100 as a preamp, Roksan Caspian Power Amplifier, DH Labs Air Matrix Interconnects w/ Ultimate RCA plugs, DH Labs Q10 speaker cables (internal biwire), and Absolute Power Cords. I listen to different genres of music: electronica, rock, pop, classical, and jazz.
For two years, ive been driving my fronts from my Arcam AVR100. Then came the opportunity to buy a Roksan Power Amplifier over at Agon. Using my AVR100 as a preamp and the Roksan Caspian as the stereo amp to drive my fronts, I noticed a punchy, energetic, and detailed improvement. The increase in transparency was noticeable. Vocals had more detail and definition. Separation of second voices from the main voice was more obvious. Bass was cleaner and clearer. Violins (and the midrange) however were a tad richer (probably because of increase in bass). On the other hand, this very same quality gave guitars more life and vigor. The presentation wasnt as airy as the Arcam AVR100. Nevertheless, listening to the Roksan Caspian was more enjoyable than the Arcam AVR100. There was no experience of fatigue at all.
As a footnote, I tried placing vibrapods under the Roksan Caspian but decided to remove them since i felt the Caspian sounded more exciting without the pods.
For the price, I got this amp ($500) I am rating it as a Bargain, Giant Killer. For its performance, Im giving it a rating of 4 stars. Strengths: Punchy. Exciting. Detailed. Transparent. Music is enjoyable to listen to (No Fatigue!). Weaknesses: Not as Airy as Arcam. Midrange may sound a tad richer. Similar Products Used: Arcam, Naim, Onkyo
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