Ruark Audio R4 MK3 Home Audio System

Oh dear, I had such high hopes for this beautiful (and expensive) piece of kit. Set up was easy and trouble free but playing from DAB, CD and rear Aux the sound at low levels was completely undermined by an easily discernable whirring noise. This made passages of quiet orchestral music unlistenable. The CD of Gorecki's Miserere was just ruined. So its back to the supplier for a replacement and I need to contact Ruark so they can quality test this product.Up-date of original review above.On Monday 25 July I spoke to Ruark and to-day just 30 hours later they delivered a new player which operates completely silently. So excellent service there. ( This is no reflection on the original supplier HiFix; I went direct to Ruark simply because they are much closer to where I live.) No doubt Ruark will investigate the problem on the first player but I could not help noticing that the 2nd player's packaging was plastered in fragile stickers whereas the first one's was not!)Evaluation of sound: I would describe the players sound as polite, restrained even but well presented.Still as I'm well past the age for throwing loud house parties this is not such a problem. I need time to get used to it - and the unit to warm up - so for the time being 4 stars. I have it on 3D sound but it does not seem to fill the room like my elderly Marantz/Rotel/Acoustic Energy combo did but again after extensive decorating there are no tangle of wires and extension leads with loudspeakers perched on a mantel. Aesthetically it is very easy on the eye. (I wonder what it could do hitched up to the Rotel Amp and the AE speakers?)Review up-date 4.1.18.I am generally pleased with this system, particularly the performance of the DAB radio which is excellent. However I feel I should point out that the CD playback does have some occasional problems. When some CDs are inserted it will say "no media" and for others when in playback it will suddenly stop playing and go back to the start of the disc. (My 20 year old Marantz CD player in another room has no problem with any of my CDs). This is generally resolved by cleaning the disc with a cloth which makes me suspect that the error correction in the unit is not exactly top notch. So the motto may be; keep your discs clean and scratch free!

In all honesty it is not as good sound wise as the hi-fi system it replaced, but it is compact and doesn’t have cables and leads all over the place as my previous setup did.I would still give it 5 stars as the sound is very acceptable from all sources.

Always had bose systems for the last 20 + years but my partner got this to replace the bose soundtouch system and best move ever made. Would never go back to Bose and the after sales at Ruark are marvellous, would highly recommend.

Impressed with the quick delivery ( ordered one day and it came the next). Good sound quality, well built. Easy to use.

Best sounding DAB radio - a little pricey though. Great treble and bass for such small speakers. I am not missing my HiFi separates any more!Kudos Ruark.C.D. player just average. Where are the numerical buttons 1-20?very badly designed!

Quality product - beats the Bose easily!!!

Fantastic love the sound and look