Roksan Radius 5 + Denon 110 MC cartridge

Manufacturer’s specs

• Main bearing spindle: stainless steel
• Main bearing housing: solid brass
• Bearing ball: hardened steel
• Pulley: aluminium alloy
• Platter: precision machined acrylic
• Motor: 24 pole synchronous
• Speeds: 33 and 45rpm
• Rumble: -75dB
• Wow and flutter: 0.04%
• Dimensions: 400 x 350 x 150 mm
• Weight: 7 kg

Extremely detailed delivery
The Radius has always been an articulate performer and this new version is no different. With a Goldring 2400 moving magnet cartridge (£180) in tow, it sounds agile and tuneful, digging up a mass of fine detail that much of its competition would ignore.

This detail is organised in a cohesive and highly musical manner that draws the listener into the music.

Low frequencies are taut and punchy, and there’s a wonderful stability to the player’s stereo imaging. The soundstage is nicely layered, focused and impressively stable. You can add excellent timing and strong dynamics to the list of plus point, too.

Complaints? Just one. We’d like a lid to keep the dust off.

STRENGTH:Dynamic, musical, detailed.
Looks great.
Nima tonearm is outstanding performer.
WEAKNESS:No dust cover, otherwise none at this price
This is a review for the MAPLE version, not the acrylic. The first thing is that every female friend who has seen it thinks it looks great! One called it a “sculpture.” So you guys out there, your other half might just let you buy one of these!

The model I am reviewing is a “Dealer Overstock” purchased on Ebay. A 2008 turntable supplied complete with a 2006 Nima arm. Set up was straightforward, instructions easy to follow, although the process was a bit fiddly for the arm. However, once all the ajustments had been made the turnatable was a joy to use.

Now, how about the sound? I am using it with a Goldring G1042 mm cartridge and I have to say that it is a huge improvement over my old Project 2. The sound is taught and dynamic, and very musical. Bass is excellent with good tight grip. Detail is also good and the overall sound is smooth and dynamic. The player is equally adept at Rock or Classical music and does Jazz well too! I suspect that it would do justice to a much higher quality cartridge if I ever choose to upgrade from the Goldring.

My experience of this turntable is similar to those expressed in the excellent reviews in the Hi Fi media for the acrylic version, so I suspect that the wood veneered versions are just as good, with added wife appeal!