Ruark R7

[TonyLGM]

Hi all I'm new to this forum as a member so hello to all

I'm currently revamping my lounge & I'm after some nice sounds from a MAC / network feed, but my lounge is very small. I just happen to be doing the decor in a more retro style and while looking for kit I bumped into the Ruark's R7. The retro furniture really fits with what i'm after, but it has got to sound good as an all in one unit. trying to get to Bristol to my nearest stockest, but it might take a few weeks.

Lots of online reviews but no real comments about the audio, apart from "it sounds good" Has anyone had a listen to Ruark's R7 & able to give me a steer of how good it is to possibly save me some time and money driving to bristol if it's not that compitent?

Thanks, Tony

 

[chebby]

It sounds excellent for what it is.

No-one is going to deny that £2000 spent carefully on well-matched separates will sound better, but that's not the market the R7 is competing for.

The staff at my local Audio-T told me that a suprising number of people have seen the R7, heard it, fallen in love with it and proceeded to order one on the spot! Some have bought them as 'second systems'.

If you love the idea of them and the look of them enough, then you won't be disappointed with the sound.

You will, however, be beaten mercilessly on hi-fi forums by traditionalists who think anything that detracts from ultimate performance (style, good design etc.) should be flayed with a bunch of 'specialist' mains cables!)

 

[TonyLGM]

Many thanks for the reply. Sounds worthy of a listen. I would love to have this as a second system, but it might be a few years until I have 'my' listening room, but I do have a plan

I'll book a visit & go in disguise just in case there are indeed any cable flailing purests :rofl:

Thanks, Tony

 

[TonyLGM]

Just as an update for anyone interested, HIFI Choice have a review of the R7 this Month (May addition).

Didn't realise it didn't support ALAC so will need to update over to FLAC, which although a pain I should have done this at the start.

Tony

 

[James7]

Just as an update for anyone interested, HIFI Choice have a review of the R7 this Month (May addition).

Yes, I read that too - very positive. This isn't really going to help but I own the R2i and It really is a lovely bit of kit with a surprisingly mature, warn, powerful sound. When I bought it I auditioned it against not just other radios such as from Pure and Roberts but top-end docks such as the B&W Zeppelin and felt the R2i to have a smoother, more natural sound. Ruark have been making really fine sounding kit for years - I remember their early 1990s Templar with a great deal of affection and their high end standmount Equinox was a gem. Their current range of products are obviously very different but I think that long history of solid engineering really does bear fruit. So I would give it an audition - and would be interested to hear your thoughts once you do.

 

[TonyLGM]

Will do James. Reading Audio T said they would get one in for me to listen to. I'll give them a call as they haven't come back to me yet..

Tony

 

[driv3r]

Will do James. Reading Audio T said they would get one in for me to listen to. I'll give them a call as they haven't come back to me yet..

Tony

Please let us know what you think of it and how it sounds. Thank you!