gavinprice
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Roksan Kandy K2 vs Rotel RA-06
Jan Vigne
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Quote:
My reading so far suggests that the Roksan is a much better all round amp than the Rotel, with better sound and higher power output.

First of all, have you auditioned either of these two amplifiers and are you going to audition these amplifiers with your speakers?

You need one watt more than you will ever use. Why is higher power important? If you're after volume level, buying more watts is seldom the answer.

It has been pointed out repeatedly that if the first watt isn't good, why would you want 200 more of them?

gavinprice
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Hi,

thanks for the reply. Yes I agree watts are not th be all and end all, I'm just thinking about it in terms of powering speakers that I may buy in the future.

I am planning to audition both set ups this week, but even then you are judging it on a one off performance in shop listening room, so I thought it would be a good idea to get other people's opinions and experiences with these two amps

cheers,
Gavin

mrlowry
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Gavin-

I mentioned it to you in another thread but I add it to these comments too. Rotel and B&W have a partnership so their stuff always has a great synergy. Just so you know the RA-06 isn't available in North America. Their only stereo integrated here is the RA1062 (http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/ProductDetails.htm?Id=12) which is a wonderful match for 600 series B&W. I know we also mentioned the buy in England and bring with vs. buy in Canada and convert. With speakers if they are cheaper there then no big deal get them there. With the electronics I know that you mentioned a preference to get them there as well and have them converted. I'd advise checking with Rotel North America because many high end companies do have some hoops to jump through to make sure that the goods are legitimate before they will convert them. They might ask for a sales receipt, some companies even require that you have owned the product for at least 1 year. I don't know what their policies are but I'd check first so that you know going in. You might also mention the RA-06 specifically since it's not available here, and might add another hoop.

The other options would be to buy something over there that allows for a change in voltage with the flip of a switch and the change of a power cord. I don't see too many products over here that do that but going the other way it might be more common. I know that Arcam does have said switch on the back and of course you'd need the new power cord. I've heard many of the Arcam integrated amps with B&W 600 series and that is a great match too. A bit better to my ears than the Rotel even.

gavinprice
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Hi mrlowry,

thanks alot for your advice again, its really helpful.

What I was thinking, rather than having them fully converted, is to simply buy a few step down voltage transformers. They cost about $30 canadian each, so I could buy a couple of those and then hook up the UK bought pieces without any internal rewiring.

Ill definitely audition some Arcam amps too, but the models they offer in the price range I am looking at dont get great reviews. They seem to be more audio-visual amps, rather than pure audio, I'm thinking about the DiVa a70(i think thats the model) for example.

Ill definitely check it out though, because with my work requiring me to move every 4 years or so that would be the perfect solution.

That Roksan Kandy K2 really gets some sweet reviews though, while the Rotel tends to be reviewed as a bit disappointing.

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Quote:

What I was thinking, rather than having them fully converted, is to simply buy a few step down voltage transformers. They cost about $30 canadian each, so I could buy a couple of those and then hook up the UK bought pieces without any internal rewiring.

That's specifically what I was afraid of and why I was presenting every option, except that one. Those devices (unless you get an industrial super duty one) are meant for shavers, cell phone chargers, etc. They were never meant for sensitive electronics that depend on clean and consistent electricity to perform their best. Plus they have to DRAMATICALLY limit current which will greatly reduce bass and dynamics. Think of it this way, if you hired the best carpenter in the area to build you a deck the kind of wood you provided to him would still affect the quality of the finished product. If you were to skimp and choose to purchase midterm would that would impact the finished product . However if you purchased the best raw materials the deck would be even better. With respect that that analogy electricity is literally the raw material that our components use to make the sound and the components are the carpenters. When a manufacturer comes out with a new model or an improvement on an old model when they talk about what they improved the power supply is almost always part of the discussion. I'm sure that any manufacturer would cringe at the thought of those devices being used with their gear and strongly recommend against it. So much of the way that an audio sounds comes down to how the power supply functions.

gavinprice
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Hi,

I think thats a really good point about the quality of the electricity.

The type of transformer I'm talking about would be in fact those big box ones that are designed for items with larger wattage consumption, not just voltage.

I was thinking that I could use one of those in tandem with these extension cables i have seen that supposedly "clean" the power source to limit distortions etc. They are designed specifically for aaudio visual stuff.

If the same items were available at the same price in canada, I would definitely wait, but it seems like I'm gonna spend 30-50% more, and have a harder time finding them...

Also, I will probably move back to Europe after 3 years anyway.

its a tough call though, I really appreciate your advice.

mrlowry
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The increase works both ways. American and Canadian products are more expensive there than they are here. Unfortunately, in general American and Canadian companies aren't as strong in the affordable integrated amps as the some other countries, particularly the British.

It looks like the Creek Evo integrated amp may have a switch on the back to change voltage. I have no I idea how much it costs over there nor have I heard their integrateds but they have a very good reputation.

gavinprice
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thanks, I have been checking out the ARCAMs, the A18 looks ok, but the A28 looks even better, but its a hefty price tag.

I think finding one with switcheable power source is definitely the way forward for my situation

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