Specs & Review – Roksan Caspian M2 CD Player

The Roksan Caspian M2 CD Player embodies a sophisticated operating system designed to deliver exceptional digital audio playback. Whether you’re indulging in traditional CDs, CD-Rs, or CD-RWs, this player shines with its remarkable performance. Its frequency response spanning from 20Hz to 20kHz demonstrates unwavering precision, maintaining an impressive variance of only 0.2dB. Harmonic distortion remains nearly imperceptible, measuring less than 0.0015% at 0dB and 1kHz, a remarkable achievement that is typically at 0.0005%. Even at varying signal levels, distortion remains impressively low: < 0.005% at -30dB and 1kHz, and < 0.01% at 0dB and 20kHz. Intermodulation distortion is also virtually nonexistent, measuring < 0.001% at 0dB, typically at 0.0005%.

In terms of signal purity, the S/N ratio stands at an impressive 105dB, meticulously weighted to IHF-A standards. The meticulous engineering of the Caspian M2 is further evident in its wow and flutter performance, where quartz precision ensures minimal deviation. Exceptional channel separation exceeds 100dB at both 1kHz and 20kHz, contributing to the player’s stunning audio fidelity.

The Caspian M2’s analogue voltage output of 1.95Vrms ensures a robust signal transmission, and the gold-plated L&R RCA and Balanced XLR analogue outputs underscore the player’s commitment to superior connectivity. On the digital front, gold-plated 75 Ohm Coaxial, 110 Ohm Balanced AES/EBU, and Optical Toslink outputs offer versatile options for linking the player to external devices.

The D/A conversion is carried out by the PCM1798 Advance Segment, Audio-Stereo DAC, ensuring accurate rendering of audio with a resolution of 24 bits and a sampling rate of up to 192 kHz. This performance is facilitated by a third overtone oscillation crystal, finely tuned for precision.

Mechanical isolation is a cornerstone of the player’s construction, with decoupling feet on the main chassis and a two-stage decoupling laser mechanism. Jitter, the nemesis of digital audio, is meticulously managed, measuring under 130 picoseconds (typically under 70 picoseconds). Idle patterns are suppressed to a remarkable level of <-105dB, while stop band rejection achieves an impressive <-95dB.

The Caspian M2’s power supply comprises two high-performance, low-noise toroidal transformers and twelve fully regulated power rails. This robust power foundation facilitates the player’s maximum power consumption of less than 30W, contributing to its eco-conscious design.

Beyond the technical specifications, the Roksan Caspian M2 CD Player has garnered praise from both customers and professionals alike, firmly establishing itself as a preeminent contender within its class. The player’s ability to convey the rhythmic pulse of music is unrivaled, enhancing enjoyment across various genres. This is achieved without sacrificing refinement, rendering classical compositions with the same finesse as R&B, pop, and rock.

The Caspian M2’s sonic supremacy emerges not from gimmicks, but from a meticulous attention to design and construction. Notable features include a decoupled and isolated laser mechanism that aligns with precision, reducing reliance on error correction in favor of the genuine digital signal. An independent analogue output stage PSU eliminates signal corruption between digital and analogue domains, resulting in heightened clarity.

Professionals seeking the pinnacle of sound quality will appreciate the balanced XLR analogue and digital outputs of the Caspian M2. This pro-grade connectivity enhances audio clarity by reducing interference, elevating every sonic detail to prominence.

While the Caspian M2’s focus remains firmly on sonic excellence, it doesn’t skimp on essential features. Programming and repeat functions are at your disposal, complemented by a user-friendly remote control. Beyond the balanced XLR digital output, the player provides optical and coaxial connections, enabling compatibility with a wide array of DACs and digital amplifiers.