Al ears
Well-known member
I find it hard to believe, considering what a transport actually does, that the incompatibility is real.
matthewpianist
Well-known member
Noisy CD transports are unacceptable, and impact on the listening experience unless all you listen to is compilations of 3 minute singles. Even then, it's not something I could live with. Once the Audiolab Omnia has done the initial disc read, I don't hear a peep out of it even during very quiet passages in orchestral music. Another player that was very good in this respect was the Rotel CD11 Tribute, and the RCD965-BX. I have had noisy players and they've either gone back or been sold off.
If Ruark won't even accept this is an issue you're on to a loser, and I would send it back and choose something else. If they can accept it as an issue and offer a firmware update to address it, great, but they really need to have it ready to go so that you don't go beyond the returns window. Dad and I both bought Omnias at the same time. Mine arrived and worked perfectly from the off, but Dad's was inserting gaps between tracks. One email to IAG, and the next day he had a servo update CD that solved the problem completely. That's customer service.
If Ruark won't even accept this is an issue you're on to a loser, and I would send it back and choose something else. If they can accept it as an issue and offer a firmware update to address it, great, but they really need to have it ready to go so that you don't go beyond the returns window. Dad and I both bought Omnias at the same time. Mine arrived and worked perfectly from the off, but Dad's was inserting gaps between tracks. One email to IAG, and the next day he had a servo update CD that solved the problem completely. That's customer service.
My challenge is that I've had the 410 and subwoofer for more time so can't easily exit Ruark. I waited for the cd unit in good faith. One wonders if Alan Rourke has actually listened to his products. Nevertheless, some helpful suggestions for alternatives have been offered in this thread.
DougK1
Well-known member
You must have been unlucky. I've had three Marantz CDPs and they have all been silent in operation...but all three were "Made in Japan", I do believe this makes a difference.
nopiano
Well-known member
I agree with those who said effectively “not fit for purpose”. CD players that work as intended are not audible from more than a few inches away, and definitely not from your listening seat.
This problem didn’t arise even in the 1980s so it’s absurd it can in 2024. But then Arcam released their WHF award winning CD player and it created gaps between tracks. They apparently fixed that quite promptly, but it gives me little confidence in the company.
This problem didn’t arise even in the 1980s so it’s absurd it can in 2024. But then Arcam released their WHF award winning CD player and it created gaps between tracks. They apparently fixed that quite promptly, but it gives me little confidence in the company.
GSV Ethics Gradient
Moderator
The more you think about it, the more it seems wrong - just points the finger at Ruark's R&D. If it's real, obviously...
Al ears
Well-known member
Indeed, one wonders......
As the CD transport is purely passing a digital signal from it to a bit of equipment that contains a DAC to convert that signal to analogue there should be absolutely no reason for incompatibility.
For a first time poster it could simply be a Ruark bashing exercise from a disgruntled ex-employee.... Who knows!
Call me an old sceptic....
Whatever, it clearly demonstrates the absolute need to audition everything before parting with cash.
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No, really not an ex employee , just a consumer keen to get advice from the forum - and thanks to those who have replied. Everyone has a first post. 
To clarify, Ruark recommended a Rose cd player which connected to the 410 via USB. For me the 410 froze after playing a cd and wouldn’t shift back to streaming without a reboot. Their customer services told me that they were finding that as various system updates got issued they experienced problems so wanted to keep control by moving towards their own plug in cd transport.
I’ve been pretty positive about other Ruark products, to be fair.
To clarify, Ruark recommended a Rose cd player which connected to the 410 via USB. For me the 410 froze after playing a cd and wouldn’t shift back to streaming without a reboot. Their customer services told me that they were finding that as various system updates got issued they experienced problems so wanted to keep control by moving towards their own plug in cd transport.
I’ve been pretty positive about other Ruark products, to be fair.
DougK1
Well-known member
To be fair to the OP, Ruark instructed him that any CDP/CDT must be connected via USB only, which becomes clear when you see the only connection on the rear of their CDT is a USB C. Crazy stupid idea as the transport will only work with their product and with the possible problems this could cause with an alternative CDP. Fortunately the 410 unit has alternative connections to enable a stand-alone CDP to be connected.
DougK1
Well-known member
Really hoping your issue can be sorted with a firmware update as that transport is an ideal match for the 410.No, really not an ex employee , just a consumer keen to get advice from the forum - and thanks to those who have replied. Everyone has a first post.
To clarify, Ruark recommended a Rose cd player which connected to the 410 via USB. For me the 410 froze after playing a cd and wouldn’t shift back to streaming without a reboot. Their customer services told me that they were finding that as various system updates got issued they experienced problems so wanted to keep control by moving towards their own plug in cd transport.
I’ve been pretty positive about other Ruark products, to be fair.
GSV Ethics Gradient
Moderator
DougK1
Well-known member
One would think so, but the 410 unit obviously gets it's knickers in a twist when a non-Ruark CDT is connected via USB. It's not as if this lifestyle product is particularly cheap! Guess I won't be buying Ruark anytime soon.
Al ears
Well-known member
If it only has USB I am surprised any third party CD transports will connect....
Perhaps using the optical input would solve all issues....
A computer type CD drive shouldn't cause issues either
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By way of update, I went to the local branch of the well known tv/hi-fi chain from whom I bought the transport and played them the noise. The manager was surprised both by the noise and by Ruark's response - suggested pushing back and seeing if their position shifted. That said, he was helpful in terms of alternatives, very much in line with suggestions helpfully made here. Given there are analogue and optical inputs should all be doable.
I'd still prefer an acknowledgement of issue and firmware solution - which feels completely possible - but know that will only come if they find a large number of disgruntled customers.
Al ears
Well-known member
A fair point, well made. And not to believe marketing copy that claims to be championing physical media or customer services people who claim that they're just about to release the perfect solution if you wait a month or two.....! I did look quite hard for negatives on Ruark (in their category) but didn't find much. Maybe they've just dropped the ball on this particular product.
And thank you for the good wishes!
Al ears
Well-known member
No - I emailed them examples of the issue and they replied that this was normal function. I expressed surprise and asked them to let me know if their tech team had any further information. They didn’t reply.
I’ve used two units - one bought direct from them - and both have the same behaviour.
Al ears
Well-known member
I bought directly from them, they were the 'dealer', they told me the behaviour was normal and that the unit wasn't faulty, then, to be honest, ghosted me. I checked a second unit from a retailer to see if the problem replicated which it did. That retailer is sympathetic to the issue and I'll buy via them if I need to go down an alternative route. I'm within return windows. I'd hoped Ruark would want to resolve, but clearly they don't.
Al ears
Well-known member
podknocker
Well-known member
Most companies are run by accountants these days and not technical people. That's why there is little testing and they all assume it will be the winning device and make them all even more money. With the pitiful response from Ruark, I'm surprised they didn't tell you to 'burn in' the CD player to make the thing 'settle in'. Some companies recommend a burn in time just over the return period. The HIFI sector is becoming a minefield these days and there are many charlatans.
Update - having started this thread, I wanted to let anyone interested in this product know that the issue has been resolved. I was eventually able (to be fair, with some help from Ruark customer services at this point) to persuade Ruark's tech team that this wasn't acceptable and that they were undermining their consumer proposition entirely by not addressing it. Turns out the 'parent' R410 unit was forcing the transport to re-index the disc at the beginning of every track. They've fixed this via a firmware update, and the transport now performs as expected.
Obviously should have been picked up before launch, and probably the tech team should have given their customer facing colleagues a more constructive line to take. But they have fixed it, so I wanted to put that on the record
Obviously should have been picked up before launch, and probably the tech team should have given their customer facing colleagues a more constructive line to take. But they have fixed it, so I wanted to put that on the record
Al ears
Well-known member
nopiano
Well-known member
Good news! Ruark and Arcam can share my Award for Under-Developed CD Player of 2024 now!
It makes you wonder if anyone ever actually tried one at home. Unbelievable!
It makes you wonder if anyone ever actually tried one at home. Unbelievable!
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