This is an ex-demonstration Roksan Attessa Streaming Amplifier in the Silver finish. It is supplied with its accessories and carries the same specification as a new unit, offering the complete Attessa streaming system at a significant saving.
The Attessa Streaming Amplifier is the most comprehensively equipped model in Roksan's Attessa Series 1G, a range designed and developed in-house in the UK that also includes the Attessa Integrated Amplifier, CD Transport and turntable. It shares its 80 W per channel amplifier with the Attessa Integrated, but adds a BluOS network streaming module, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity and USB media playback. The result is a just-add-speakers system that combines amplifier, DAC, streamer and moving magnet phono stage in a slim, 76 mm-high chassis.
Amplification
The power amplifier is a Class AB design rated at 80 W per channel into 8 ohms and 130 W per channel into 4 ohms, both channels driven at under 0.1% THD+N. It is supplied by a 400 VA toroidal transformer with 13,000 µF of reservoir capacitance, which accounts for much of the unit's 10.5 kg weight and provides the current reserves needed to drive a wide range of loudspeakers. Roksan uses a balanced topology within the preamplifier section to lower the noise floor.
Streaming
Network streaming is handled by BluOS, Lenbrook's multi-room platform that also powers Bluesound and NAD streaming products. The BluOS app gives access to Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music and internet radio, plays music from a network drive or a USB stick connected to the rear panel, and allows the Attessa to join a BluOS multi-room system of up to 64 zones. Three BluOS presets appear directly in the input list for instant access to favourite playlists or stations.
AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth (A2DP with SBC, aptX and AAC codecs, with a typical range of 15 m) cover direct streaming from phones, tablets and computers, and Amazon Alexa voice control is supported through BluOS.
Digital Inputs and DAC
Digital-to-analogue conversion uses a Burr-Brown DAC handling PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz, with MQA decoding. There are two coaxial S/PDIF inputs (up to 24-bit/192 kHz) and two optical inputs (up to 24-bit/96 kHz), one of which is designated for a TV. The S/PDIF inputs also decode MQA-encoded PCM, including MQA CDs played through the matching Attessa CD Transport, which connects to a dedicated coaxial input so the two units work as one system once paired in the MaestroUnite app. DSD files are supported through conversion in the BluOS desktop app only.
Analogue Inputs and Phono Stage
Two line-level RCA inputs are provided. A1 is a standard input, while A2 adds signal sensing and an AV mode for integrating the Attessa into a combined stereo and home cinema system. A built-in moving magnet phono stage, with a standard 47 kΩ / 56 pF load and three gain settings to suit cartridges with outputs from 3 to 12 mV, allows a turntable to be connected directly.
Outputs
A single pair of speaker binding posts drives the loudspeakers, and an RCA pre-out/sub output allows a subwoofer or a more powerful external power amplifier to be added. On the front panel, a 3.5 mm headphone socket delivers up to 7.5 V RMS, enough for most headphones including high-impedance designs.
Design and Control
The chassis is formed from plated steel with a machined, anodised aluminium front panel, and there are no visible aerials. A central dial adjusts volume when turned and selects inputs when pushed and turned, with haptic feedback confirming each selection. The display to the left of the dial shows the active input, and illuminated bars to the right indicate the volume level. Each input can be given a pictorial icon (TV, CD, vinyl, games console and others) in Roksan's MaestroUnite app, which is also used for initial setup, firmware updates and pairing other Attessa components into a single system. Day-to-day streaming control runs through the BluOS app, alongside the supplied IR remote control and front-panel transport buttons.