The new Ruark R3 all-in-one music player is available in walnut and soft grey finishes from August ... [+]
Ruark is a classic British audio brand with a bit of an Aston Martin vibe about it. The company has been making its R Series audio players for quite a few years now and they just keep getting better and better. I bought a Ruark R4 some years back, and it’s still going strong and looks like a great piece of classic design.
The latest member to join the Ruark family is the Ruark R3, a compact all-in-one audio player that can play CDs, DAB/FM radio, Internet radio, network streaming, plus a range of auxiliary inputs for analog and digital devices. Unlike its larger sibling, the Ruark R5, the new R3 can’t form part of a multi-room audio system, and is instead controlled using Ruark’s Undocked app which is free on both Android and iOS platforms.
The Ruark R3 sits at a raked angle in its own feet and includes a large OLED display above the ... [+]
The Ruark R3 shares the same family resemblance as the other members of the R Series with the same beautifully rounded edges and classic fabric speaker grille. It also features the familiar Ruark rotary dial and buttons on its top, as well as an infrared remote control for convenient access for muting the sound or nudging up the volume without bothering to fire up the app on a smartphone.
The front of the R3 features the same large OLED display seen on all the other Ruark models, and this display can be left on all the time as a digital clock, or else turned off when not in use. The display is a multi-purpose device and shows which audio sources are being used, CD track information, as well as radio station and broadcast details.
At the rear of the Ruark R3 are the inputs and output for connecting the player to a variety of ... [+]
Despite its diminutive size, the R3 is versatile and has a comprehensive range of listening options to suit almost everyone. Using Wi-Fi or Ethernet to connect to gain access to the Internet, the R3 can stream music Spotify Connect, as well as supporting TIDAL, Amazon Music and Deezer. Music can be streamed from a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth with support for the higher-quality aptX audio codec. Strangely, there’s no support for Apple AirPlay, which means the user does need to remain within 10 meters or so to be able to stream directly from a smartphone.
The R3 also has a Smart Radio function that can select radio stations from the Internet, DAB/DAB+ or conventional FM broadcasts. Finally, there’s a slot-loading CD for playing a variety of disc formats including regular CDs, CR-Rs, and MP3 CDs. The R3 can also be part of a home cinema or Smart Home set-up using its analog and digital inputs for connecting devices like a TV, Alexa Echo Dot or Google Home Mini.
There's a classic and timeless look about the Ruark R3 that could place in anywhere from the 1960s ... [+]
Ruark has been making high-end audio components for three decades and the company’s expertise has been distilled into the compact R3. Ruark claims the unit can deliver a dynamic performance that sounds much more like a larger audio system using separate speakers. I haven’t heard the R3 yet, but if it’s anything like the Ruark R5 that I reviewed last year, I can imagine it’s very impressive. I’m slightly disappointed that it isn't an exact mini version of the R5, but until I get a chance to try it out, I won't be absolutely certain which of the features are missing in respect of native streaming support.
The cabinet of the Ruark R3 has been tuned so that it’s the ideal acoustic housing for Ruark’s NS+ loudspeakers. The speakers have a low-reflection, air-flowed chassis featuring a powerful neodymium magnet system and lightweight cone assembly. Apparently, the NS+ can pump out a sound that’s far bigger and more powerful than their size would indicate.
With its timeless styling the Ruark R3 can fit in to any kid of décor.
Driving the two NS+ speakers is a high-fidelity, two-channel, Class A-B amplifier rather than the Class D type often used in these kind of players. Using Ruark’s own algorithms and digital sound processing, the company claims the new R3 can control sound on every level to recreate plenty of detail and a realistic sound stage that feels wider than the R3’s compact profile would indicate.
Pricing: The Ruark R3 is available in Rich Walnut or Soft Grey lacquer finishes and it will be shipping in the UK from August 2020 through Ruark’s dealer network, including branches of John Lewis and other independent retailers at a price of £629
More info: www.ruarkaudio.com
Specifications and features:
● Wi-Fi streaming with Spotify Connect & support for Tidal, Deezer & Amazon
● Multi-Format CD player
● AptX Bluetooth Receiver
● SmartRadio Tuner with Internet Radio/DAB/DAB+/FM
● USB-C playback/charge port
● Infrared Remote Control
● Auxiliary digital & analog inputs
● High contrast OLED display with large clock format
● Ethernet port
● Class A-B Amplifier System – Nominal 30 watts output
● Ruark neodymium NS+ drivers
● Finishes: Rich Walnut veneer or Soft Grey lacquer
● Dimensions: H167 x W420 x D220mm
● Weight: 5.3kg
