British audio brand Ruark has just announced the first model in its next-generation 100 Series of audio players. In a press release issued today, Ruark unveiled the brand-new R410, a device that embraces music streaming technology and legacy sources that many of us still value.
Although the R410 can still connect to legacy devices such as turntables or CD players, this new device is primarily for streaming music and making the most of the wide range of streaming services and Internet radio stations that are now available.
At the heart of this new player is a powerful processor that can handle the highest quality audio file formats and streaming services, including Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Apple Airplay 2 and Chromecast built-in.
The R410’s processor also drives a new user interface, handling commands from R410’s RotoDial controller and smartphone apps while displaying information and artwork on a high-resolution color display. The display’s portrait orientation mimics the layout that streaming services display on smartphones. Ruark claims this makes the R4120 more intuitive and convenient to use.
Ruark says the R410 has been designed with perfect proportions and a modern take on 1970s-inspired styling. From the hand-crafted grille and cabinet, the materials used in the R410 blend modern materials and sustainable woods used in the grille construction. The grille has been spliced, colored and recomposed, resulting in an eco-wood that closely resembles slow-growing hardwoods with consistent grain patterns and a color that’s less prone to fade over time.
A feature carried over from Ruark’s previous R-Series is the RotoDial control system. Aside from minor updates, Ruark has kept this distinctive control on its products since the first R1 was launched in 2006.
For the 100-Series, Ruark says it has improved the RotoDial’s design by making it more tactile to use. A matching RotoDial remote with a rechargeable battery also ships with the R410. Because the remote uses Bluetooth rather than infrared, there’s no need for a direct line of sight to the R410.
The R410 has an optimized reflex enclosure within the cabinet designed to house the unit’s long-throw NS+ bass and midrange drivers. These drivers are larger than those used in previous models. To provide focus and detail to the R410’s soundstage, Ruark has added two 20mm tweeters.
Also new to the Ruark R410 is a new generation of digital amplifiers for driving the speakers. With high efficiency and ultralow distortion, the amplifiers in the R410 are sufficiently compact to be mounted as a complete two-channel amplifier assembly directly to the rear of each bass/midrange unit. This arrangement keeps the signal paths optimized and as short as possible.
Along with audiophile-grade components, Burr-Brown DACs, a fully active speaker system and the latest audio processing technologies that Ruark says produce an upgraded sound quality. The R410 has taken three years to develop a new series of audio streaming products that take advantage of the rapidly evolving technology in the consumer audio sector.
Pricing & Availability: The Ruark R410 beings shipping in September and will cost £1,299.
More info: ruarkaudio.com
Features:
- Support for Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Apple Airplay 2 and Chromecast built-in.
- High-resolution music file support up to 24-bit 192kHz.
- Built-in DAB/DAB+/FM & Internet radio.
- Bluetooth with support for aptX HD Bluetooth.
- Connectivity: HDMI with eARC, TOSLINK digital input, UPnP, RIAA phono input.
- Rechargeable RotoDial Bluetooth remote.
- High-resolution 4in color TFT display.
- Fully Active 120W RMS Digital Class D amplifier.
- Drivers: 2 x 20mm silk dome tweeters and 2 x 100mm long throw NS+ bass/midrange units
- Dual bass reflex enclosures.
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 133x560x290mm.
- Weight: 9.5kg.
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