Purely English Hi-Fi audio system Roksan K3, which sounds more expensive than its cost

Description of the Roksan K3 stereo amplifier

The Roksan K3 integrated amplifier has a carefully thought-out circuit topology in which the left and right channels mirror each other. This also ensures the shortest signal path. To power the Roksan K3, a powerful massive toroidal transformer is used, and the circuits use high-quality components, incl. Nichicon capacitors. The cooling of the amplifier's output MOS transistors is passive, i.e. Instead of noisy fans, a regular aluminum radiator is used here. The output is also equipped with high quality relays. There is a Bluetooth circuit on board with support for the aptX audio codec, thanks to which when wirelessly streaming audio you can get sound close to the quality of a CD. The device produces 140 W per channel into an eight-ohm load, which increases to 220 W when using speakers with an impedance of 4 ohms.

This model has an all-metal body, made in a neat, elegant design. The volume control knob is connected via a special rod to the ALPS potentiometer and is located on the right side of the facade, and the power supply switch, traditionally for Roksan components, is built into the bottom panel of the amplifier. On the front panel, in addition to controls and LED indicators, there is a 3.5 mm jack for connecting headphones.

The Roksan K3 integrated speaker is convenient to use not only in a stereo system, but also as part of a home theater for sounding front channels. For this purpose, the amplifier has a special Bypass input, which passes the signal directly to the final stage, bypassing the preamplifier section, i.e. You can connect an AV processor or AV receiver to it, as well as an external DAC equipped with a volume control. A slide switch is provided to activate the Bypass connectors, which at the same time deactivates the AV line input.

The model is equipped with an MM phono preamplifier, for which the corresponding connectors are provided on the rear panel. There is also a set of linear RCA inputs and an adjustable Pre Out output for connecting an active subwoofer or final amplifier, which is important for biamping. There are four screw terminals for connecting speakers. The kit includes a small universal remote control with rounded edges. According to the manufacturer, the Roksan K3 stereo amplifier provides energetic musical sound with powerful bass and a wide, detailed stage.

Purely English Hi-Fi audio system Roksan K3, which sounds more expensive than its cost

Let's take a meticulous look at this thoroughbred “English sound” today. As a test subject, we have a couple of fresh components straight from Foggy Albion, released under the Roksan brand - an already middle-aged English company that has been producing equipment for more than 30 years. In 2016, it was acquired by Monitor Audio, which was able to bring Roksan out of the crisis, and it is MA that manages it to this day.

I will tell you about a set consisting of an integrated amplifier and a CD player of the K3 series, which is the entry-level product in the company’s product range, but based on obvious signs, of course, these components cannot be called entry-level. This is evidenced by the quality of the finish, impressive characteristics and, of course, the price. The cost of each K3 component is almost 150 thousand rubles. And they are made right in England!

I believe that the name K3 refers to the famous Broad Peak - this is hinted at by the unusual facades, hand-finished, reminiscent of rock, made of thick aluminum plates. Bold in appearance, they tactilely tell you about their strength and even monumentality - all the controls here are made in a masculine, stern manner. Everywhere you look there is metal. You will only find plastic in the LEDs and power switches, hidden under the bottom edge of the case.

Moreover, unusual facades are not everything. The top component covers with rounded corners are somewhat reminiscent of vintage cars. And the large chrome nameplate crowning the lid emphasizes this similarity, causing a smug smile and telling you that it was not in vain that you paid three hundred thousand for two strange English boxes. I would like to say that nowadays they don’t make equipment so emotionally, but here it is, brand new, in front of me.

The rear walls of the K3 series are a true audiophile's dream. The British marked them out in such a way that you simply have no chance of making a mistake with the switching. This food is one of the most comfortable I have ever had. The orange paint alone is worth it. Beauty!

I love the look of the K3 components and the quality with which they are made. Only one thing raises a question - the funny skinny legs on which the components stand. Roksan, of course, rightly tried to be different from everyone else, and they did it great, but they went too far with the legs. More precisely, they were undercooked (sorry) - I just want to stick some good wide pancakes in there.

Separately, I would like to talk about the design of the CD player. They made him a great emerald screen that you can't take your eyes off of. But that's not all - on the right under the bottom they hid an additional three-position toggle switch, responsible for switching the DAC inputs. And yes, it can be used as an external DAC.

There he is, there, under the panel.

They didn’t sign the Tumblr in any way - you should finally start reading the instructions. If you click it to its extreme positions, the LED strip at the bottom lights up in blue or white (depending on which of the inputs is currently active - coaxial or optical).

Overall, this pair gives you comprehensive switching options, because the amplifier has five inputs, including a phono stage for the MM, plus a preamp output and bypass connectors for connecting a receiver. The cherry on top of all this is a nice bonus: the ability to connect bluetooth using the AptX standard.

The amplifier controls are a bit peculiar. By default, it turns on in standby mode, and if you are used to turning off the equipment “tightly”, you will be forced to turn it on in two stages - first turn on the general power switch, and then press the Mode button, which, by the way, is also responsible for gain.

Input selection is linear, you simply move through them with the arrow keys. And in general, the control of these components does not raise any questions; everything is done for such narrow-minded people as me, with a minimum of buttons. And Roksan has a completely fiery remote control with a metal rim.

The CD player sports two digital inputs and three digital outputs. And by the way, I have never seen such an instant and high-quality reaction to rewinding through a track.

The only drawback of the switching capabilities of this pair, in my opinion, is the lack of balanced analog connectors. In such a high class it would be quite justified, but no, only RCA.

However, the lack of XLR doesn't stop this pair from sounding as peppy as that dream car from the show. You will immediately notice that the K3 amplifier is able to effectively manage its power and gives a very detailed, fast and large-scale sound. Speed ​​and attack are the strong point of these Roksans. The amplifier is excellent at separating sound images and creating a clear spatial picture. All this is extremely lively and emotional in its entire range.

Here you will find excellent biting punch on the drums, and the heart-rending screams of some Keith Flint with Dave Grohl, and sparkling cymbals with hi-hats. Whoa-whoa-whoa, take it easy! Moreover, what’s cool is that if you switch to some kind of software and relaxation, then there will be no less magic - Roksan masterfully conveys all these light, airy things and the subtlest after-sounds. And the speed with which Roksan components can work allows you to feel the sea of ​​air and closeness with the performer.

By the way, about the newfangled Bluetooth (yes, it, of course, is not newfangled at all, every iron is on that Bluetooth) - I couldn’t help but try it and became a little, to put it mildly, dazed. If you have any average streamer, then you can literally throw it out the window after purchasing K3, because you will no longer need it. Regular Tidal from an iPhone, connected wirelessly, sounds so that it’s almost impossible to discern the difference from a CD. I just casually constantly played music via bluetooth. Very cool wireless sound without reservations.

As for the sound of the CD player, I tried it both as a complete player, capturing analog audio from RCA, and as a transport, outputting a digital signal via coaxial cable to the Hegel HD30 reference DAC. And in both cases the player showed excellent results.

Its own analog signal echoes its amplifier; it is fast, rich and large-scale. If you listen to it in conjunction with a reference DAC, then you get the highest possible level of sound, with a thick and rich presentation characteristic of this DAC. In general, it is definitely not a hindrance to a good DAC.

Despite their oddities, such as thin legs and the lack of a balanced connection, these are very cool “all-playing” components, if you will allow me such a term. The combination of speed, scale and detail is always a win-win. And the quality with which the Roksan K3 draws all this makes me bob my head to the beat of all this great music that I don’t want to turn off.

Test setup

Acoustics: Monitor Audio Silver 100, Dynaudio Excite X36 :: External DAC: Hegel HD30 :: Cables: Nordost Blue Heaven series (network, interconnect and acoustic) :: Power console: Powergrip YG-1 ::

Characteristics of the Roksan K3 stereo amplifier