Roksan - Caspian Series M2 Integrated Amplifier

I live in the UK where this amplifier comes from . I have been using the Caspian Series M2 Integrated amplifier, initially as a stop gap measure until I could afford to have my high end system overhauled . That was three years ago. I am still using it with the Caspian cd player used in a balanced mode and a pair of Triangle Signature Delta speakers and I feel no urgent need whatsoever to have my Naim amps and Mark Levinson cd player overhauled. Why ? May you ask . Simply because the sound I am getting is as good as my so called high end super expensive system!The Roksan amp is so good that it will make you think it's an amp costing several thousands $ more. The soundstage it produces is as good as my Naim 250s and 135s. It will drive difficult loads without any problem but more importantly, it can be happily partnered with a wide range of speakers. The funny thing is that the cables I am using cost more than the amp and cd player combined! You would think that the Kimber bifocal XL speaker cables would show up the Caspian M2 shortcomings. Well, they don't. As a matter of fact, the combination seems to be a perfect match with the internal Kimber wiring of the French speakers being used as well. The conservative 85 watts power per channel quoted by the maufacturer do not necessarily reflect on the loudness level this amp can subjectively produce. You can have Lady Gaga full blast at high levels if you wish and if you are prepared for a lawsuit with your neighbours. Your speakers might go first, and your wife next but not the amp which I believe has a very sophisticated protection circuit, unllike the Naims of earlier years.What makes this amp so special is its versatility and ability to reproduce any music regardless of the genre. Whether you listen to Grace Jones, Count Basie or WA Mozart, it will invariably communicate the message and emotions contained in the music. The preamp section is so good that you can play older recordings without having to worry about the potentially obstrusive background noise. Alfred Cortot playing Schumann Carnaval recorded in 1928 sounds amazingly fresh and exciting and Maria Callas singing Abigail in that impossible Verdi aria from Nabucco is simply out of this world. Mind you, using the Kimber Kable all round helps as well.I hope that by now I have convinced you about makes this British amplifier so special. By the way, it is the top recommended amplifier in the UK What Hi Fi magazine for amps costing £ 1500 and above. So, even if you buy it in the US, it will not cost you that much more at $ 3000 a piece. It retails for £ 2000 in the UK.I think anyone looking for a top performer at an affordable price should put this amplifier on their list for auditioning. I wonder if any dealer would dare use it with a pair of Wilson Audio speakers ! That would be an interesting alternative to the overpriced Naim Statement !So, to sum up my review, the Caspian M2 series 2 amplifier is probably the best kept secret in the hifi world .PS: I am not a member of the British Audio Indusrty trying to promote British equipment ! I am simply an ordinary guy who takes a genuine interest in high quality hifi products at a realistic price.