One of the very best parts of our ‘jobs’ here at Peter Tyson is auditioning new products. Every once in a while, something comes along that immediately makes us sit up and take notice, then elicits universal grins. Grins that get wider and wider as we listen. Ruark’s R610 Music Console and Sabre-R speakers provided one of those moments.
Together, these two are a gem of a stereo system, designed to be seen and heard in equal measure. You won’t want to hide this one away in a cupboard, it stands proud alongside the finest, hand-crafted furniture. Sonically, it’s right up there with systems costing two and three times the price.
Ruark has always done things a little differently. Since its early 80s origins – a father and son adventure in a little rented unit in Essex - Ruark has blended a unique style and aesthetics with great hifi products. Form and factor are as important as technical specifications; audio quality is a given. With R610 and Sabre-R, Ruark has triumphed across all elements.
R610 is the epitome of a modern entertainment hub: comprehensive support for streamed music as well as physical formats like vinyl and CD; powerful yet quiet amplification; plus, the ability to transform your gaming / Netflix / YouTube experience by routing TV audio through R610’s for vastly superior sound. All in an exquisitely designed unit. Launch photography has R610 displaying Fink’s ‘Pretty Little Thing’ artwork; possibly one of the most apt product images ever!
Sabre-R, a throwback to Ruark’s debut speakers in 1985, will enthral a whole new generation of music lovers and stand the test of time as their predecessors have. These sound as beautifully natural as they look and we were gobsmacked by the massive sound and presence from such demure cabinets: they’re less than 30cm tall!
Here’s the key points:
R610 Music Console, £1199
- Hi-res streaming (up to 32bit/384kHz) - Internet Radio, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Apple AirPlay and Google Cast all built in. An entire universe of music at your fingertip
- Integral moving magnet phono stage for turntable connection
- USB in (for connecting e.g., a CD drive)
- Control via Bluetooth remote, soft touch buttons and trademark Rotodial
- 5” TFT front panel colour display
- 75W (into 4Ω) Class-D amplification
- Fused Walnut, Satin Charcoal lacquer
Sabre-R Loudspeakers, £699
- 2-way tuned bass reflex bookshelf design
- Tweeter - 26mm silk dome, neodymium motor, aluminium heatsink
- Woofer - 15cm treated natural fibre cone, 30mm 4-layer voice coil, long-throw motor
- Removable magnetic grill included
- Hand-crafted cabinets
Available in Fused Walnut or Satin Charcoal lacquer finishes, both are exceptional products in their own right, but as a team they are simply superb. Complimentary in style and in sound, they have an alluring, retro charm… there’s even telescopic aerial for the FM radio (removeable if that’s not your thing), but certainly nothing backward-looking about their cutting-edge performance.
We could wax lyrical about this system all day, but nothing written here will compare to listening. You know what to do.
Carlisle – 01228 546756
Newcastle – 0191 285 7179