We don’t get bored of saying it. Ruark makes some lovely-looking hi-fi kit, and it’s settled into a nice groove over the last few years with the 70s-aping design.
That look is exuded in its latest music console and speakers in the R710 and Talisman-R floor-standing speakers, which launch in the midst of the company celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Similar to the R610 Music Console that we gave 4.5 stars to, the R710 is intended to be an even more powerful and comprehensive system that “complements” the R610.
For the more techy readers, it features a custom switch-mode power supply to optimised “feeds to the system’s motherboard and customise digital amplifiers”. The signal paths in the layout of the multi-layer PCB (printed circuit board) have been kept short and direct, with optimised grounding for low noise and EMI (electro-magnetic interference).
The R710 delivers a “clean power output” of up to 200W per channel, and connectivity-wise it doesn’t come up short. You’ve got Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Internet Radio and aptX HD Bluetooth.
Prefer to stream over your local network? The R710 supports playback from networked media services as well as USB storage; and if you want combine the R710 with your TV, there’s a HDMI eARC/ARC to make that so.
With the silver disc making something of a comeback, Ruark has incorporated a built-in CD drive, comparing favourably to the R610 which needed an external drive for CD playback. A built-in phono stage enables direct connection to a turntable to get the best sound from their 7- and 12-inch vinyl records.
Image Credit (Ruark Audio)
But of course, having a music console like the R710 is all well and good, but how are you going to hear your music? One option is partnering the R710 with the latest in the Talisman series.
Ruark has reintroduced the Talisman-R, which marks the fourth-gen model in the series, and fits in rather nicely alongside the Ruark 100 Series aesthetic.
Like the original, the Talisman-R is a two-way, bass reflex design, retaining Ruark’s preference for natural driver materials in the form of a 165mm low throw treated fibre NS+ woofer, plus a 27mm silk dome tweeter. These drivers are unified via a “carefully optimised crossover” that use “premium audio-grade capacitors, resistors and low-loss inductors” for the best signal transfer and reduced distortion.
Particular attention has been paid to enclosure in terms of controlling and dissipating the energy created by the drivers, with the Talisman-R’s decoupled baffle design that suspends the baffle on elastomer bushes. Along with the dual damping strip, they limit vibrations from the drivers to main enclosure, limiting the effect on the sound you hear.
The internal bracing system absorbs energy over a wider frequency range, controlling the internal standing waves with the speaker enclosure, which, according to Ruark, results in ultra-low colouration and a purer sound.
The R710 Music Console comes in either Fused Walnut or Satin Charcoal Finishes with a suggested retail price of £2199 / €2699. The Talisman-R floostanding speakers are available in the same finishes with an SRP of £1499 / €1799.
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