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To find out I leashed the Oxygene CDP to another input of the amp—close socketry suggests against mega audiophile RCA connectors—then compared spinning discs to their files ripped to my iMac's hard drive over the Metrum Hex. Obviously this didn't eliminate the optical vs. streaming variable. That's simply the nature of this beast. As anyone who for a while has worshipped at the altar of DAC comparisons knows, with like-priced digital another natural aspect is not to expect significant changes.
Nearly all makers rely on the same few chips from BB/TI, Crystal, ESS and Wolfson and OEM USB modules from XMOS and M2Tech (on the first count the Hex busts out of line by using unidentified chips from outside audio which require no I/V conversion or additional output stage). It's often power supply quality and discrete vs. op-amp analog which carry the day. |
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Now add the fact that getting linear response from digital is a breeze compared to amplifiers having to drive loads whose impedance and reactance fluctuates wildly over their bandwidth; and over speakers which interact unpredictably with their rooms. It's quite obvious why, when makers have the same money to spend, the margin for acceptable differences in digital should be narrow. (There are always exceptions. Often it's tube-based decks which take liberties.)
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Aside from having me feel decidedly quaint to once more spin physical media with all their involved limitations... just how had Roksan exploited this acceptable margin to their own benefit? (On another note, the lack of a remote 'mute' button means that 'pause' must take its place for the CDP and, via tablet-based remotes, for a computer source when the phone or front door bell ring. Remote volume without mute is another instance of minimalosity.)
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As expected the Oxygene/Hex comparison was close but not identical. Cees Ruijtenberg's dedicated converter had the literal edge on transient bite to make the Roksan mellower on the attack. It also dug deeper into particularly medium-level dynamic shifts. This was shown on Thierry 'Titi' Robin's live album Anita! where the Metrum had both more intense on-string blister and rode the bigger waves of voltage levels for higher dynamic contrast. Without any reset markers on soundstaging or tonal balance, those two aspects were the key differentiators (as long as 'key' doesn't suggest a symbolic ornament longer than your hand but a small one for your mailbox). This answered the above question. These Roksan Oxygene components share reinforcing/like rather than opposing/complementary flavors. |
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This presentation champions musical movement more like rapidly darting small rather than big lazily cruising fish; concomitant litheness and transparency. It's an eminently civilized and friendly sound. Whilst still being entertained by the French string maestro extraordinaire, I also had a rather strong suspicion. The overall gestalt felt mellower than appropriate. I sensed reluctance to fully let loose. So I leashed the amp's variable output to the Goldmund Job 225. This would properly complete the amp picture by moving outside class D to see how it fared against a first-class A/B type DC-coupled circuit of 1MHz bandwidth.
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It took very little listening to be crystal clear. On subjective speed this UcD/Hypex amp had already represented a step up from fuzzier thicker ICEpower. Now the Job 225 demonstrated how to move up another rung or two. The Oxygene sounded somewhat indecisive and soft by contrast. Not fully awake. Not the full Monty but still robed in a veil. Not drawn with a hard sharp graphite pencil but with a softer blurrier lead tip. Be it the snarl and wiriness of Titi's guitar, the snotty plucks of the bass, the percussive audience applause and the fiery jaleos of encouragement... everything grew in directness, impact, vigor and acuteness when the Job took over. The operative term was more speed. I'd be very curious to learn whether Bruno Putzeys' Mola-Mola Kaluga monos as the ultimate take on his very latest Ncore tech could split or eliminate this difference. Wrapping up this paragraph, it's very true that class D lends itself to cost-effective high power. But the $1.495 Swiss-built Job plus a $635 remote-controlled Khozmo passive from Poland would duplicate Roksan's functionality, put out more power, cost less and perform in a higher league. The flipside? They only sell direct to involve a decisive leap of faith whereas the Roksan kit awaits your personal audition with a high-street dealer.
Still on reality (bites), Roksan's stylish touch-sensitive interfaces weren't as sensitive as they ought to be. It often took repeat attempts to get a response. This created an audiophile twist on the would-be gardener's doubts as to whether one perhaps lacks that green thumb. When powered up the amp also didn't remember which input it was last set to. Nor did it remember volume settings between sources. Those are two most basic items one expects could be easily coded into the control logic. For all its very successful fashionista aspects, functionally this Oxygene gear didn't feel completely dialled yet at least to this punter by proxy who gets paid to be picky.
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Conclusion. Roksan markets Oxygene as their best effort. Not being familiar with the rest of their line, I can't comment on sonic standing vis-à-vis the brethren. On looks alone it's clear. Oxygene rocks. On user friendliness not so much. On sound against equivalent competition, it's a very solid showing for what one assumes will end up being the entry-level players in an expanding line. As such the company deserves a round of applause for tackling cosmetic appeal to this extreme. Within that happy backslapping hubbub one then silently taps them on the shoulder to make the remote less minimalist; and gives them a stronger tap to make their less is more touch-sensitive area less hit 'n' miss. Because in the end—or actually right at the start—less otherwise simply becomes less. And this Oxygene gear deserves more! |
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Simon Pope replies on behalf of Roksan:
I'm glad you realise the intention in the Oxygene range for combining somewhat 'daring' minimalist design with an established specialist manufacturer's hifi separates system. I'm also glad you recognised the superior sound quality with its true audiophile traits such as attack and soundstaging. This was always a priority given the company's strong hifi provenance. There are a few things I feel are worth mentioning regarding the review.
As you rightly say, there are more Oxygene products in the pipeline including the external PSU but also, significantly, a Bluetooth DAC which will incorporate a comprehensive selection of inputs. It's Roksan's impression that the future of the range's sources lies in digital and wireless streaming. A CD player/transport is included to satisfy certain markets and requirements. Indeed once synchronised, the display can be altered on both units simultaneously by the remote. If out of sync for whatever reason, it's easy enough to correct in the manner you achieved it. I'm sure you'll agree it's an easily fixable situation should it occur.
The aesthetic principle of the Oxygene range is that two (or maybe even three) components would be placed alongside each other as opposed to stacked for a couple of reasons - [1] as you rightly say, it's a little tough to operate the top-of-chassis controls in such circumstances and [2] the attractive design of the products merits such positioning to enjoy the sheer beauty of them. They're too attractive to hide away. By their nature, flat open positioning is the way to go and infinitely preferable I feel. Indeed the remote is minimalist and of course intentionally so. As such the functionality is deliberately limited to the basics of what Roksan feel the average Oxygene customer would require. The emphasis is placed more on the enjoyment of both playing music and admiring the products as opposed to the quick succession changing and skipping often needed during a review situation for example.
Alhtough you rightly state that the Roksan is a product available throughout the world in well over a thousand retail establishments, the Job and Khozmo products, despite as you say being directly sold, also are significantly different beasts to the one-box design of the Oxygene integrated and could attract an entirely different kind of buyer.
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