Roksan
British precision engineering for the detail-obsessed listener
History
Founded in 1985 in London by Iranian-British engineers Tufan Hashemi and Touraj Moghaddam, Roksan quickly established itself as a force in the high-end audio world. The name 'Roksan' is derived from the founders' surnames—Ro from Hashemi and San from Moghaddam—symbolizing their shared vision of combining technical excellence with musicality. From its inception, Roksan focused on analog playback, launching the iconic Xerxes turntable in 1985, which became a benchmark in mid-tier turntable design. Its innovative use of a sub-chassis suspension system, precision platter, and low-noise motor set new standards for performance at its price point. Throughout the 1990s, Roksan expanded into electronics, introducing the Caspian series of amplifiers and CD players, which earned critical acclaim for their dynamic presentation and build quality. The company maintained a philosophy of holistic design—ensuring synergy between turntables, tonearms, and electronics. In the 2000s, Roksan embraced digital audio with the Kandy series, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern DAC technology. The company continues to innovate under the same founding leadership, maintaining its UK-based design and engineering team despite manufacturing shifts. Today, Roksan remains a respected name in audiophile circles, balancing heritage with forward-thinking design.Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1985, London, United Kingdom |
| Founder | Tufan Hashemi, Touraj Moghaddam |
| First Product | Roksan Xerxes Turntable (1985) |
| Golden Era | Late 1980s–Early 2000s |
| Famous Feature | Sub-chassis turntable suspension, low-jitter digital design |
| Current Status | Active, privately held, UK-designed |
Legendary Products
Roksan Xerxes Turntable (1985)
The Xerxes was Roksan’s debut product and an instant classic. Its dual-subchassis design with elastomeric damping minimized resonance transmission, while the precision-machined platter and belt-drive system delivered exceptional speed stability. The Xerxes influenced a generation of turntables and spawned multiple iterations, including the Xerxes 20 Plus and the high-end Radius series.Roksan Radius 7 (2004)
Building on the Xerxes legacy, the Radius 7 offered improved isolation, a heavier platter, and optional RB301 tonearm compatibility. It became a favorite among analog enthusiasts for its musical timing and low noise floor.Roksan Caspian M2 Integrated Amplifier (2010)
A modern classic, the M2 delivered 80WPC of Class AB power with a fully discrete output stage. Its rich midrange, wide soundstage, and phono stage made it a reference in its class, often praised for outperforming more expensive competitors.Classic Models Reference
| Model | Era | Type | Power/Specs | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xerxes 20 Plus | 1990s | Turntable | Belt-drive, 33/45 RPM | Dual sub-chassis, TMS tonearm option |
| Caspian CD Player | 2000s | CD Transport | 24-bit/192kHz upsampling | Low-jitter DAC, aluminum chassis |
| Kandy K2 | 2010s | Integrated Amp | 70WPC | MM phono, remote-controlled tone controls |
| Oxygene Turntable | 2000s | Turntable | Direct-drive hybrid | Optical speed control, minimalist design |
Sound Signature
- Neutral with Warmth - Roksan electronics avoid clinical sterility, offering a balanced tonal presentation with a slightly rich midrange. - Excellent Timing and Rhythm - Particularly in amplifiers, Roksan gear excels in pace, rhythm, and timing (PRaT), making it ideal for rhythm-driven music. - Low Noise Floor - Turntables and DACs are engineered for high resolution and black backgrounds, revealing fine detail.Collecting Roksan
What collectors look for: - Early Xerxes models with original TMS tonearms are highly sought after. - Caspian series components in good condition command strong resale value. - Check for original power supplies and wear on platters and belts. - Prices range from $300 (used Xerxes) to $2,000+ (Caspian M2 amplifier). - Common issues: dried suspension grommets in turntables, aging capacitors in older electronics.Restoration Tips
Replace aged belts on Xerxes and Radius turntables; inspect suspension mounts for sagging. Recapping power supplies in 1990s-era CD players improves reliability. Use high-quality replacement cartridges on TMS tonearms for optimal tracking.Competitors & Comparisons
Roksan competes with Linn (especially in turntables), Naim (in amplification synergy), and Rega (in value-oriented analog). While Linn emphasizes system integration, Roksan offers more modular flexibility. Compared to Rega, Roksan turntables are more complex but offer superior isolation.All Models in Archive (2)
| Artemiz | 1987-1990 |
| Xerxes | 1985-1990 |
Models
Tonearms
- Artemiz - 1987-1990
Turntables
- Xerxes - 1985-1990