Roksan has officially unveiled its latest high-fidelity product line, the Caspian 4G Series, featuring two new models: the Caspian 4G Integrated Amplifier and the Caspian 4G Streaming Amplifier. Building on the legacy of the Caspian M2 line, the 4G Series represents a significant step forward in terms of technological advancements and design while retaining the core qualities that have made Roksan a respected name in the audiophile community for decades.
The Caspian 4G Series marks a return to the high-end audio market for Roksan, a decade after its last major release. Priced at $3,750 for the Integrated Amplifier and $5,000 for the Streaming Amplifier, these models come equipped with advanced features tailored for the modern audiophile, including high-resolution audio support, flexible connectivity, and innovative amplification technologies.
Both models share a similar design ethos, drawing inspiration from Roksan's Attessa range with sleek, chamfered edges and custom extruded heatsinks integrated into the side panels. This design ensures that the devices are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, with improved heat dissipation that helps maintain performance under load.
The Caspian 4G Series showcases several proprietary technologies aimed at delivering exceptional audio quality across a wide range of sources. Both amplifiers feature Roksan’s Euphoria Class AB amplifier technology, which prioritizes a balance between power and finesse.
The amplifier is designed to minimize both harmonic and intermodulation distortion, maintaining a flat distortion profile across all frequencies and loads. This results in purer, more detailed sound reproduction, which is particularly important for audiophiles looking to experience every nuance in their music collection.
The Euphoria technology also features separate power supplies for current and voltage amplifiers, reducing interaction between components and further enhancing the clarity of the audio output.
Both the Integrated and Streaming Amplifiers utilize Roksan’s Rapture DAC technology, a differential current-conveyor topology that offers a different approach to digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) than traditional op-amp integrated circuits. This innovative design delivers superior gain-bandwidth characteristics, essential for accurate high-resolution audio reproduction, especially when dealing with 24-bit/192kHz files from streaming services or high-end physical media players.
The Rapture DAC's ability to extract more information from digital signals is one of the standout features of the Caspian 4G Series, which should ensure that the amplifiers can handle even the most demanding audio formats with ease.
Volume control in the Caspian 4G Series is another area where Roksan has pushed the envelope. Both amplifiers feature a hybrid digital-analog volume control system, blending the benefits of both technologies. This hybrid approach provides precise volume adjustments while maintaining signal integrity, a critical feature for high-fidelity listening.
The Caspian 4G Streaming Amplifier goes a step beyond traditional amplification by integrating BluOS, a premium multi-room audio streaming platform. This addition allows users to access high-resolution audio from popular streaming services, as well as networked storage devices, without any loss in sound quality. The BluOS platform also supports multi-room audio across up to 64 zones, making it an attractive option for users who want to build a fully integrated home audio system.
For those who prefer a more traditional listening experience, both amplifiers come equipped with extensive analog and digital inputs, including balanced and unbalanced inputs, coaxial, optical, and HDMI eARC connectivity. The inclusion of HDMI support is particularly useful for those looking to improve their TV or movie audio experience, as it allows for easy connection to compatible televisions or home theater systems.
Roksan has also paid attention to vinyl enthusiasts with the inclusion of a dedicated moving magnet (MM) phono stage in both amplifiers. The phono stage features precise RIAA equalization, ensuring accurate playback of vinyl records. Additionally, the Caspian 4G Series employs a fully balanced pre-amplifier design, which minimizes noise and cross-talk between connected devices, further enhancing audio fidelity.
Roksan has developed its own control app, MaestroUnite, to give users full control over the amplifiers’ advanced features. From basic input configuration and headphone sensitivity adjustments to more advanced DSP (digital signal processing) options, MaestroUnite allows for a high degree of customization.
The app offers access to Roksan's Intelligent DSP engine, which includes four core technologies: Intelligent Tone, Intelligent Boundary, Intelligent Speaker, and Intelligent Phono. These tools enable users to fine-tune their listening environment, adjusting the sound output to suit their room acoustics and speaker setup.
Another important aspect of the Caspian 4G Series is its user-friendly interface. Both amplifiers are equipped with high-contrast OLED displays, providing clear visibility of input selections and volume levels. The Streaming Amplifier also includes physical buttons for play, pause, and track control, making it convenient for users who want quick access to their media without navigating through a smartphone or tablet.
Additionally, Roksan has included internal antennas for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (on the Streaming Amplifier), making setup easier and reducing the need for external components. For those who prefer a wired connection, both models also feature a Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port for stable network access.
The Caspian Series 4G amplifiers are positioned firmly in the high-end market, with the Integrated Amplifier priced at $3,750 and the Streaming Amplifier at $5,000. These products are available for purchase through authorized dealers in both Europe and North America as of October 2024. Roksan has also indicated that additional models in the Caspian 4G lineup, including a Power Amplifier and a Preamplifier, will be released in 2025.