This British Audio Company’s New Music Player Jumps on a Growing Hi-Fi Trend

It’s further proof that physical media is far from dead.

Published October 30, 2024

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Updated October 30, 2024

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Ruark Audio is having a bit of a moment. A week after the British hi-fi manufacturer revealed its 100 Series System — a modern stereo system consisting of the streaming amplifier and passive bookshelf speakers — it’s back at it again.

Only this time, it’s with a music player for physical media fans.

Ruark R-CD100 CD Player

Break out your CD collection

Despite Ruark calling the R-CD100 a “CD player,” it’s really not. It lacks a built-in DAC and thus is more of a CD transport. This means it simply brings the ability to play CDs on a modern hi-fi system.

Ruark recommends pairing it with its other Series 100 components, such as its R410 all-in-one speaker or R610 streaming amplifier.

Matching retro vibes

If you couldn’t tell right away, the R-CD100 has the same vintage-inspired aesthetic as Ruark’s other Series 100 components. Its metal-and-wood combo sandwiches precision-machined aluminum top and bottom plates on either side of a hand-crafted walnut chassis.

The R-CD100 is a plug-and-play component — it connects via USB-C to Ruark’s Series 100 music players. When connected, “CD” because a new source option that’s selectable.

Additionally, the R-CD100 features a slot-loading CD mechanism and an acoustically isolated enclosure to prevent external vibrations. This, along with a “whisper quiet” operation, the brand claims, ensures the best possible sound quality.