Monitor Audio Group is celebrating 40 years of Roksan—one of the UK’s most distinctive hi-fi brands and arguably its most stylish disruptor. Founded in London in 1985 by Touraj Moghaddam and Tufan Hashemi, Roksan was born out of frustration with the status quo. Moghaddam, a trained engineer with a deep passion for vinyl, didn’t just want to copy what Linn and Rega were doing—he wanted to do it better. The result was the original Xerxes turntable, which turned more than a few heads and challenged the idea that the Linn LP12 was the final word in rhythm and pace.
Art Dudley (Stereophile, 1986) famously wrote that the Xerxes was “so good, and so superior to the pre-Lingo LP12, that honest listeners among the Flat-Earthers had no choice but to say so.” That quote wasn’t just a passing jab; it cemented Roksan as the anti-Linn in some circles, with a sound that offered just as much musicality but more tonal color and technical insight.
Since then, the brand has evolved considerably. From the radical Artemiz tonearm to the Kandy, Attessa, and Caspian electronics lines, Roksan has built its legacy on engineering that pushes boundaries while retaining musical soul. Touraj eventually left to found Vertere Acoustics—another brand that refuses to play it safe in the analog world—but his fingerprints remain all over Roksan’s DNA.
In 2016, Roksan joined the Monitor Audio Group. Instead of being absorbed and sterilized, the brand has been revitalized. Under CEO Rob Barford and Global Marketing Director Michael Johnson, Roksan has doubled down on its UK roots and unique voice. The new Caspian Series 4G, launched in 2024, is built by hand in Essex and represents everything the brand has stood for since day one: elegant design, robust engineering, and a sound that speaks to vinyl purists and streaming converts alike.
Barford notes, “Caspian Series 4G is a perfect example—evolving with modern needs while honoring the spirit of the original design. Best of all, we’ve brought production back to Essex. With the help of our dedicated team of technicians, we’re proud to be able to state that Caspian Series 4G models are hand built right here at MAG HQ in the UK.”
The Caspian 4G line launched with two models: the Caspian 4G Integrated Amplifier and the Caspian 4G Streaming Amplifier. Roksan’s also teased that a matching power amplifier and preamplifier will join the lineup in 2026.
Visually, the Caspian 4G series doesn’t look like anything else on the market—unless you’ve binge-watched Battlestar Galactica. The design language is bold, angular, and unapologetically futuristic. Functionally, the side panels double as heatsinks, and the internal layout is impressively tight and purposeful. It’s clear that component quality is a priority here—this isn’t an amp built to hit a price point; it’s built to perform.
To celebrate four decades of sonic rebellion, Roksan has produced a long-form print brochure highlighting the milestones, people, and philosophy that have defined its journey. A new anniversary video also dives into the human side of Roksan, putting faces to the voices that have carried the brand forward.
Joe Deller, Software Test Manager, summed it up nicely: “Hi-fi is deeply personal—it’s about what sounds right, what feels right. Roksan has a long heritage of designers and engineers who genuinely love the products they create. That passion is what sets us apart.”
Forty years in, Roksan still walks its own path—a little unconventional, sometimes polarizing, but always grounded in the pursuit of real, emotional connection through music. In a world of cookie-cutter Class D boxes and software-first soundbars, that’s not just refreshing—it’s necessary.
And yes, the Xerxes still looks better than a Sondek.
For more information: roksan.com
Related Reading:
Anton
July 25, 2025 at 11:54 pm
Why does everyone hate Linn? They have certainly been more successful than Roksan.
Was the Xerxes really that good?
Ian White
July 26, 2025 at 12:07 am
Anton,
I rather like the people at Linn based on my own experiences, and I have spent a lot of time listening to the Xerxes. It wasn’t a perfect deck but it did sound very good.
The LP-12 wasn’t original. But they had the advantage of having access to superior manufacturing resources. Ivor had a huge impact on the high end turntable market and they sold a lot of tables.
My biggest gripe is the ridiculous price of new Sondek tables in 2025. I would buy a Vertere or Kuzma over it without question.
IW
Steven S
July 27, 2025 at 9:09 am
I had an LP12 for a long time and fell into the incremental upgrade path until I got fed up with the cost. I have ended up with what used to be the top of the range Thorens TD550. My friend has just bought a used Linn with an old Rega arm and basic power supply. I was struck by how good it sounded. The old Linn swing was there. Linn were and are still great turntables (as are Roksan) just different flavours.
Ian White
July 27, 2025 at 10:30 am
Steven,
I agree. The older tables were a very good listen. Basic. Without all of the upgrades. I remember considering an LP12 back in the 1990s and with all of the upgrades, they were completely unaffordable. The Xerxes had some issue with sag in the plinth if memory serves me correctly, but also a really good table.
IW