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.Sound Signature
Roksan equipment occupies a distinctive sonic space — neutral enough for critical listening, yet warm enough to remain musically engaging over long sessions. The Xerxes turntable's dual-subchassis design with elastomeric damping produces a remarkably low noise floor, allowing fine musical detail to emerge from a genuinely black background. The platter speed stability delivers pitch accuracy that makes piano and orchestral recordings sound convincingly real.
Their amplifiers, particularly the Caspian series, excel in rhythmic precision — the kind of pace and timing that makes rhythm-section interplay in jazz and the driving energy of rock genuinely compelling. The midrange has a slight richness that adds body to vocals and acoustic instruments without masking detail. This is equipment that avoids the extremes of clinical sterility and warm coloration, landing in a balanced sweet spot that serves a wide range of musical tastes.
Collecting Roksan
Early Xerxes turntables fitted with the original TMS tonearm are the most sought-after Roksan collectibles — these combinations represent the brand's debut statement and offer performance that challenged the dominant Linn LP12 at its own game. The Xerxes 20 Plus updated the original design with improved materials, and both versions remain competitive with modern turntables at their price points.
The Caspian series of amplifiers and CD players from the 1990s and 2000s represents excellent value on the used market, with the Caspian M2 integrated amplifier being the standout piece — its rich midrange, wide soundstage, and built-in phono stage make it a versatile and rewarding component. When buying a used Xerxes, check the suspension grommets for deterioration (they dry out over time and can sag), and inspect the belt and platter bearing for wear. Electronics benefit from power supply recapping after 20+ years of service.
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.Tonearms
- Artemiz (1987-1990) — Unipivot tonearm designed specifically for the Roksan Xerxes turntable, renowned for exceptional tracking and refined sonic detail.
Turntables
- Xerxes (1985-1990) — Innovative turntable that challenged Linn LP12 dominance. Unique unipivot bearing and minimalist design.
Other Models
- Roksan - Precision British Audio Engineering — Roksan, founded in 1985, is a British high-fidelity audio manufacturer renowned for its precision engineering, elegant design, and exceptional value in both analog and digital audio components.
- Artemiz (1987-1990) — Unipivot tonearm designed specifically for the Roksan Xerxes turntable, renowned for exceptional tracking and refined sonic detail.
- Xerxes (1985-1990) — Innovative turntable that challenged Linn LP12 dominance. Unique unipivot bearing and minimalist design.