Ruark R810 Review

Introduction

The Ruark Audio R810 is a bold reinvention of the classic radiogram, meticulously updated for the streaming era. This is the British Hi-Fi marque doing what it does best, blending vintage design tropes with modern audio, ostensibly offering the best of both worlds.

There’s much to admire here. The craftsmanship is sublime, and the many connectivity options seamlessly executed. The R810 is clearly tailored for music lovers who value style as much as substance, but there are quirks to usability that won’t be for everyone. Let’s take a closer look…

Availability

As you might expect from its flagship status, the R810 is no impulse buy. Priced at £3,000 it’s at the upper end of the integrated systems market. It’s commensurate with the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A9, and the soon-to-launch Marantz Horizon, both rival all-in-ones that lean heavily into design. It sells for $3,700 in the US, and AU $5,500 in Australia.

Design

• Designer chrome stand included
• Colour 4-inch fascia display
• RM07 RotoDial Bluetooth remote control

The Ruark R810 is very much a statement piece. Once assembled (this is a job for two, as the unit is big, heavy and requires more than a pair of hands), it garnered plenty of casual praise for its good looks.

Much like the R410, the console is available in space grey or walnut veneer, and is fronted by a handcrafted wooden grille, a design feature that’s become a Ruark signature.

There are two options when it comes to installation. Users can opt for the bundled sleek chrome stand or park the unit on AV furniture, using the supplied chrome runners.

Either way, the system looks balanced and elegant.

The chrome stand secures the unit via rubber feet, relying on weight for stability. While this might initially seem precarious, the design feels robust in practice.

A full-colour 4-inch vertical display on the fascia offers clear graphics, including album art and source information. It looks cool, although when standing around the radiogram, the panel is too low, around 50cm, to be comfortably viewed, without hunching down low. I’d rather like the panel to pivot, to better accommodate different viewing angles.

Top-mounted, the RotoDial control system is an intuitive highlight. Its tactile interface allows reassuring navigation of playback, volume, and source selection.

The supplied RM07 RotoDial Bluetooth remote mirrors this controller. This takes a little bit of getting used to, and I often found myself hankering for a more conventional remote wand. 

Features

• Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect support
• DLNA compliant
• Turntable phono stage

Music streaming is at the forefront of the R810’s feature set. The console supports Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Apple AirPlay, and Chromecast. If you’ve a stack of music files on a networked server, there’s UPnP DLNA compliance too. This makes the R810 a solid option for streaming enthusiasts and those with extensive digital music libraries.

Connectivity options are plentiful. The R810 boasts HDMI ARC/eARC for TV integration, a USB port, moving magnet phono stage, analogue line inputs, an optical input, and Ethernet.

To the rear there’s also a large heat sink, as well as an FM/DAB aerial joint.

Thankfully, those who prefer to get more physical aren’t left out. The R810 accommodates vinyl turntables and supports CD playback, with the optional Ruark R-CD100 CD Player via its USB-C port.

Of course, a radiogram wouldn’t deserve the moniker without DAB and FM too, although to be honest, streaming stations via the Internet is less prone to burbles and transmission foibles.

Sound Quality

• 180W 4.1 channel amplifier
• Wide, dynamic delivery

The R810 may look like conservative, but behind the polish is a 4.1-channel powerhouse. Its 180W Class A-B amplifier powers two 20mm silk dome tweeters, a pair of 100mm midrange woofers, and a downward figuring 203mm long-throw subwoofer; the cabinet itself is ported. This configuration ensures a broad and dynamic soundstage with detailed imaging.

There’s a finesse and delicacy about the midrange which lends itself well to piano, keyboard, and electronic instrumentation. Classic prog rock track Sylvia, by Dutch rockers Focus, is rendered with tonal accuracy and rollicking musicality.

Similarly, Minako Yoshida’s Midnight Driver highlights the system’s ability to balance silky vocals with a groovy bassline.

It soon becomes clear that the R810 thrives when pushed to higher volumes. On Misery Business by Paramore, its tight imaging and energetic backbeat fill the room with punky ease.

Bass response is solid, but never overpowering; the absence of an adjustable EQ limits customisation for those who crave deeper low-end impact. But there’s definite weight to be had, as evidenced by the throbbing bass of Flashlight, courtesy of George Clinton’s Parliament.

This system handles complex, layered tracks with aplomb, making it ideal for genres like rock, jazz, and funk. It also excels with spoken-word content, delivering realistic, articulate vocals for podcasts and radio.

Should you buy it?

FAQs