First of all, about the manufacturer. In 1985, Tufan Hashemi and Touraj Moghaddam founded the company Roksan in London. The name Roksan, by the way, refers to the name of the daughter of the Persian King Darius, Roxana. In this way, the two founders wanted to refer to their Persian roots and have always named many of their products after Persian cities, places, and famous personalities. In November 2016, Roksan was acquired by Monitor Audio Ltd, a well-known speaker manufacturer that is also British, allowing both companies to benefit from each other’s expertise to this day. Kicking off their rebranding under Monitor Audio’s auspices in the form of an all-new model range — the Roksan Atessa series — they are showing the direction the journey will take in the future. Instead of focusing on just one product area, they offer a complete hi-fi system from vinyl, audio CD to amplifiers and streaming. Especially the latter, including integration of the BluOS streaming platform, represents the dawn of a new age.
Roksan Attessa’s Record Player
As with the other products in the Attessa series, all stages of the Attessa turntable, from design and development to assembly, take place in the UK. This is particularly evident in the first-class build quality. The isolated single plinth design and, inspired by the Xerxes, the manufacturer’s original turntable, decoupled feet protect against unwanted vibration and ensure stable playback. The high-mass turntable made of weighted glass and bonded aluminum edge damper makes a high-quality impression as well. The electronic speed control is digitally controlled to the microsecond thanks to a microprocessor-controlled amplifier. This guarantees that the playback is true to the original. The pre-adjusted single-point tonearm, made of lightweight composite construction with a glass jewel pivot, is factory-equipped with the “Dana” cartridge. An integrated, disconnectable MM phono preamplifier allows the turntable to be connected to virtually any amplifier. A matching removable protective cover is designed to keep dust out when not in use and is also included. From their turntable alone, it’s clear that Roksan’s attention is particularly focused on the user-friendly operability of their products.
Roksan Attessa CD Transport
At first, you might wonder about the pure design of the CD transport, i.e. without a digital/analog converter. This is because it is only equipped with a digital coax output. At first glance, compared to the turntable, it seems rather less “Plug’n’Play.” But Roksan has again come up with something exciting. Namely, the CD transport can be perfectly combined with the Attessa streaming or integrated amplifier to create a seamlessly connected device. Using MaestroUnite communication between the CD Transport and the Attessa streaming amplifier, both devices can be operated as a single unit via the BluOS app. Reduced to the bare essentials, the CD Transport allows for the highest precision in reading your discs, thanks to the elimination of superfluous onboard circuitry. By decisively minimizing the length of the signal path from the laser, jitter has been significantly reduced. The unit features a toroidal transformer as a power supply and delivers clean and accurate playback thanks to optimized drive firmware. In combination with the Attessa Streaming Amplifier even support MQA.
The Roksan Attessa Integrated Amplifier
Besides the possibility of forming a single system with other Roksan devices in the form of a MaestroUnite setup, the Attessa stereo integrated amplifier has several other impressive features to offer. With its 130 watts per channel (4 ohms), it is able to get the best out of a wide range of speakers. On the other hand, the power amplifier has a specially developed high-performance DAC and an integrated moving magnet phono stage derived from the noble Roksan Caspian series. This makes it suitable for connection to a turntable without an integrated preamplifier, as well as a variety of digital devices, such as the Attessa CD Transport. Thanks to the hidden Bluetooth antenna, the rugged steel, and aluminum construction is Bluetooth capable even over a long range. The amplifier’s intuitive dial controls, guided by a graphical user interface with haptic feedback, provide added convenience. It can be used to control both the volume and the desired source with just a flick of the wrist.
Roksan Attessa Streaming Integrated Amplifier
The Attessa streaming integrated amplifier is basically the previously described Roksan Atessa integrated amplifier on steroids. It shares 130 watts of sinusoidal power per channel with the latter. Likewise, its amplifier section is borrowed from the multiple award-winning Roksan Caspian series. No digital power amplifiers are used here, but exclusively analog Class A/B power amplifiers. The main difference between the two amplifiers is that the Attessa streaming integrated amplifier features the BluOS streaming platform, which gives it a wide range of options for wireless data exchange. BluOS is manufacturer-independent and is used, for example, by HiFi manufacturers such as Bluesound, Monitor Audio, NAD or DALI. The BluOS app makes it possible to access all streaming services such as Spotify and Tidal simultaneously via a single app. It also allows the amplifier’s multi-room functionality to be extended to up to 64 rooms. However, it seems difficult for us to use this to the fullest. With BluOS, it is also possible to access one’s own music collection from the home network via WLAN. Music can also be played via AirPlay 2. Thanks to onboard Internet radio, further possibilities for listening to music open up. Conveniently, you can also create your own station list with DeepL access to your personal favorite stations. Furthermore, the amplifier also scores with Bluetooth in the aptX standard with a range of up to 15 meters. A multitude of analog and digital connections allow you to connect devices via cable in addition to the numerous streaming options. Two RCA inputs with automatic signal detection, two coaxial digital inputs (e.g. for connecting the Roksan Attessa CD transport), two optical digital inputs (for connecting your TV or game consoles), and an MM phono input for connecting a turntable is what the Roksan Attessa Streaming Integrated Amplifier has to offer. A powerful headphone amplifier with a 3.5 millimeter jack connection on the front is able to supply even high-impedance headphones with enough juice. Alternatively to the control with the cell phone or tablet via BluOs, all essential functions of the streaming amplifier can also be controlled with the included remote control.
Final Thoughts
The new Attessa series from Roksan is able to pick up and inspire both fans of classic music listening via data carriers, as well as the next generation of streaming disciples. This starts with the timelessly designed housings made of steel and aluminum, which once again underline Roksan’s high standards of durability and stability as well as aesthetically pleasing designs. Goes over the multitude of convenient functions and application possibilities, to the installed components and materials, such as the toroidal transformers of the CD transport and both amplifiers. But what makes the Attessa series particularly exciting in competition is the compatibility of the devices among themselves. The series is not only marketed together but also works best as such. It is particularly suitable for HiFi beginners, not least because of the sound, which is certainly unheard of in this price range, but also because of the outstanding all-around character, especially thanks to the MaestroUnite setup. In short, the series combines all the components of a good HiFi setup. Only the speakers are missing. But we are happy to remedy that, of course. Thanks to the BluOS streaming platform, the integration of the devices is not limited to the series itself, but can also be perfectly combined with products from other manufacturers. So if you’re looking for something new, inexpensive with a forward-looking claim, we may have found the perfect solution with Roksan Attessa. However, as always, it is best to come and see for yourself from mid-November, when we are expecting the first delivery of the series. To be on the safe side, call us once before your visit and ask for their availability. We look forward to seeing you there.
