This British Audio Maker’s Stereo System Blends Modern Hi-Fi with Vintage Design

This speaker-and-amp combo boasts retro vibes and hi-fi sound.

Published October 21, 2024

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Ruark Audio is the sister company of Ruark Acoustics, the heritage British loudspeaker manufacturer that dates back to the 1980s. For nearly two decades, Ruark — Audio, not Acoustics — has focused on one-box stereo systems and compact radios (rather than passive loudspeakers) that have a vintage feel yet have modern streaming capabilities.

The new Ruark R610 and Sabre-R bookshelf speakers are slightly different from the company’s other offerings in its high-end 100 Series. While they definitely fit the vintage aesthetic, the streaming amp and bookshelf speakers are designed to work together — so not a one-box solution — to deliver better stereo sound.

It’s a bit of old school and new school. A traditional stereo system that also embraces the ease and convenience of streaming.

Ruark 100 Series System

Ruark 610 Music Console

Specs

Power	75 watts per channel
Frequency Response	22Hz — 22kHz (+0/-3dB)
DAC	Up to 32-bit/384kHz

$1,599 at Ruark

Ruark Sabre-R

Specs

Speakers	Two-way passive bookshelf speakers
Recommended Power	25 — 100 watts
Frequency Response	50Hz — 20KHz (+/- 3dB)

$899 at Ruark

An amp-and-speaker combo

To be clear, the Ruark R610 music console and Sabre-R bookshelf speakers are sold separately. But they have been designed — and tuned — to work together perfectly.

The Ruark R610 “music console” is a streaming amplifier and music controller. It drives your passive bookshelf speakers, adds streaming capabilities, and also allows you to control your music via its top control dial (called the “RotoDial”) and 5-inch color (but not touchscreen) LCD display.

A modern “do-it-all” system

The music console supports a range of both wireless and wired connections.

On the streaming side, it supports Wi-Fi (Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Apple AirPlay, GoogleCast and internet radio) and Bluetooth. Its built-in DAC supports high-resolution audio up to 32-bit/384kHz.

On the wired side, it has phono (MM) and HDMI-ARC/eARC inputs, making it easy to hook up a turntable or your TV (and use the speakers as a soundbar alternative).

The combination of the R610 music console and Sabre-R bookshelf speakers is a high-end stereo system. The amplifier is rated at 75-watts per channel and is perfectly powered to drive each speaker.

If you have your passive bookshelf speakers at home, the R610 is likely capable of driving them. This would save you a couple hundred bucks, but the aesthetic of the stereo system won’t match as well.