The Ruark Audio R810 music system is a spectacular blend of vintage aesthetics and cutting-edge technology. A modern reinvention of the classic radiogram, it panders to design enthusiasts and audiophiles alike, and sits firmly in the luxury audio space.
The Luxe Review has been living with one for a while. Let’s delve into what makes the R810 a standout choice for music lovers seeking both style and substance…
Ruark Audio R810 design and features: Bridging old and new
The radiogram, a combination of radio and a record player, became a family favourite during the fifties and sixties. Designed to blend with home furniture, it defined home entertainment for generations – until the beloved ‘gram fell from favour in the late seventies / early eighties, ousted by Hi-Fi systems and music centres that elevated function above form.
It’s a trend Southend-on-Sea based Ruark Audio intends to reverse, reviving the all-in-one concept with fresh designer fervour.
Available in fashionable grey or traditional walnut, its handcrafted wooden grille and polished chrome stand exude sophistication. This console’s slatted fascia is quintessentially Ruark, and channels the same design language of stablemate systems, like the R410 and R610.
Installation options cater to diverse preferences. The R810 can rest on existing furniture with the sleek chrome feet, supplied, or be mounted on a minimalist chrome stand, which requires assembly from the box.
Build quality and detailing is exquisite. Our sample, in shiny grey, looks suitably contemporary; the finish works well with the wooden facia. A 4-inch vertical colour display provides clear visuals of album art, source information, and a clock when idle, although admittedly the text can be a little too small to read at a distance.
The R810 is first and foremost an all-in-one music hub, and it offers a reassuring array of connectivity, both digital and analogue; there’s enough ports here to cater for almost any musical predilection.
Bluetooth aptX HD and UPnP DLNA support streaming from smartphones and networked music servers, with high-resolution file playback (up to 32-bit/384kHz). Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Apple AirPlay, and Chromecast are also available.
Love vinyl and CD? A dedicated phono stage is available for your turntable, while the optional Ruark R-CD100 CD player can be connected via USB-C.
As befits the statement styling, there’s also DAB/DAB+, FM, and Internet radio for traditional and modern broadcast sources. The DAB/FM Radio aerial screws onto the rear, left.
There’s even a HDMI ARC/eARC connection, for seamless TV integration. The system would look swish positioned below a wall-mounted TV, where it could serve as an external sound system for your flatscreen.
A top-mounted RotoDial control offers tactile control for playback and settings. A lookalike Bluetooth controller is also provided, so you can drive the system from your sofa.
Ruark Audio R810 audio performance: The listening experience refined
The R810 isn’t just about surface detail. It also delivers exceptional high fidelity audio. Behind the stylish grille are two 30mm silk dome tweeters, a pair of 100mm paper cone midrange woofers, and a 200mm downward-firing long-throw subwoofer, all powered by a Class A-B amplifier, capable of 180 watts.
This setup ensures a wide, dynamic soundstage with sweet highs, rich detail and tonal accuracy. The drivers are far enough apart to create a genuinely stereophonic soundstage.
Treble detail is acute, and the midrange excels, providing naturalistic clarity for piano, vocals, and complex instrumentation.
It may look demure, but the system thrives at higher volumes, effortlessly filling large living room spaces with energy and precision.
All genres encounter equal enthusiasm. Jazz funk emphasises the R810’s musicality, while rock tracks pulsate with punchy dynamics.
The system is more than up to portraying the breathless energy of Paramore; ‘Take me out’, by Franz Ferdinand, betrays a certain lack of bass weight – although certainly not enough to be bothersome.
If you like a mellow musical backdrop to your daily routine, the R810 is perfect. The languid beat of Hiroshi Sato’s ‘I can’t Wait’, sounds shiny and sophisticated.
Speech clarity is another strength, making the R810 ideal for podcasts and talk radio.
Ruark Audio R810 Final Verdict: A triumph of design and performance
The Ruark Audio R810 is a masterclass in blending timeless design with modern functionality. Meticulous craftsmanship, extensive connectivity, and refined audio performance make it a standout in the luxury all-in-one audio market.
For those seeking a high-end music system that seamlessly integrates into their home as both a functional and aesthetic centerpiece, we think the R810 is well worth the investment.
Whether rediscovering vinyl, streaming playlists, or enhancing TV audio, the R810 offers a premium listening experience that’s as visually captivating as it is sonically impressive.
The Ruark Audio R810 is priced at £3,000 (€3,500/$3,700) and available now.
Bowers & Wilkins has unveiled the 707 Prestige Edition, a new high-end bookshelf addition to its established 700 Series range. The model is ostensibly the most refined compact speaker the company has produced, within the series, combining upgraded acoustic components with a distinctive luxury finish. Aimed at Hi-Fi enthusiasts seeking performance and craftsmanship in a…
UK Hi-Fi specialist Ruark has announced a limited-edition version of its flagship R810 radiogram, using marquetry and premium veneers, as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations. The R810 occupies a particular niche in today’s audio landscape. Styled as a modern radiogram, it combines mid-century furniture design with contemporary streaming, high-resolution audio support and a wide…
Combining ravishing industrial design with advanced tube technology and vibration control, Swiss audio specialist Nagra’s newest preamplifier is aimed squarely at posh audiophiles for whom price is secondary to performance. Designed and built in Romanel-sur-Lausanne, the Preamp II-S is the first component in Nagra’s Series II range, positioned between the company’s Compact and HD lines.…
The Luxe Review 
The Ruark Audio R810 music system is a spectacular blend of vintage aesthetics and cutting-edge technology. A modern reinvention of the classic radiogram, it panders to design enthusiasts and audiophiles alike, and sits firmly in the luxury audio space.
The Luxe Review has been living with one for a while. Let’s delve into what makes the R810 a standout choice for music lovers seeking both style and substance…
Ruark Audio R810 design and features: Bridging old and new
The radiogram, a combination of radio and a record player, became a family favourite during the fifties and sixties. Designed to blend with home furniture, it defined home entertainment for generations – until the beloved ‘gram fell from favour in the late seventies / early eighties, ousted by Hi-Fi systems and music centres that elevated function above form.
It’s a trend Southend-on-Sea based Ruark Audio intends to reverse, reviving the all-in-one concept with fresh designer fervour.
Available in fashionable grey or traditional walnut, its handcrafted wooden grille and polished chrome stand exude sophistication. This console’s slatted fascia is quintessentially Ruark, and channels the same design language of stablemate systems, like the R410 and R610.
Installation options cater to diverse preferences. The R810 can rest on existing furniture with the sleek chrome feet, supplied, or be mounted on a minimalist chrome stand, which requires assembly from the box.
Build quality and detailing is exquisite. Our sample, in shiny grey, looks suitably contemporary; the finish works well with the wooden facia. A 4-inch vertical colour display provides clear visuals of album art, source information, and a clock when idle, although admittedly the text can be a little too small to read at a distance.
The R810 is first and foremost an all-in-one music hub, and it offers a reassuring array of connectivity, both digital and analogue; there’s enough ports here to cater for almost any musical predilection.
Bluetooth aptX HD and UPnP DLNA support streaming from smartphones and networked music servers, with high-resolution file playback (up to 32-bit/384kHz). Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Apple AirPlay, and Chromecast are also available.
Love vinyl and CD? A dedicated phono stage is available for your turntable, while the optional Ruark R-CD100 CD player can be connected via USB-C.
As befits the statement styling, there’s also DAB/DAB+, FM, and Internet radio for traditional and modern broadcast sources. The DAB/FM Radio aerial screws onto the rear, left.
There’s even a HDMI ARC/eARC connection, for seamless TV integration. The system would look swish positioned below a wall-mounted TV, where it could serve as an external sound system for your flatscreen.
A top-mounted RotoDial control offers tactile control for playback and settings. A lookalike Bluetooth controller is also provided, so you can drive the system from your sofa.
Ruark Audio R810 audio performance: The listening experience refined
The R810 isn’t just about surface detail. It also delivers exceptional high fidelity audio. Behind the stylish grille are two 30mm silk dome tweeters, a pair of 100mm paper cone midrange woofers, and a 200mm downward-firing long-throw subwoofer, all powered by a Class A-B amplifier, capable of 180 watts.
This setup ensures a wide, dynamic soundstage with sweet highs, rich detail and tonal accuracy. The drivers are far enough apart to create a genuinely stereophonic soundstage.
Treble detail is acute, and the midrange excels, providing naturalistic clarity for piano, vocals, and complex instrumentation.
It may look demure, but the system thrives at higher volumes, effortlessly filling large living room spaces with energy and precision.
All genres encounter equal enthusiasm. Jazz funk emphasises the R810’s musicality, while rock tracks pulsate with punchy dynamics.
The system is more than up to portraying the breathless energy of Paramore; ‘Take me out’, by Franz Ferdinand, betrays a certain lack of bass weight – although certainly not enough to be bothersome.
If you like a mellow musical backdrop to your daily routine, the R810 is perfect. The languid beat of Hiroshi Sato’s ‘I can’t Wait’, sounds shiny and sophisticated.
Speech clarity is another strength, making the R810 ideal for podcasts and talk radio.
Ruark Audio R810 Final Verdict: A triumph of design and performance
The Ruark Audio R810 is a masterclass in blending timeless design with modern functionality. Meticulous craftsmanship, extensive connectivity, and refined audio performance make it a standout in the luxury all-in-one audio market.
For those seeking a high-end music system that seamlessly integrates into their home as both a functional and aesthetic centerpiece, we think the R810 is well worth the investment.
Whether rediscovering vinyl, streaming playlists, or enhancing TV audio, the R810 offers a premium listening experience that’s as visually captivating as it is sonically impressive.
The Ruark Audio R810 is priced at £3,000 (€3,500/$3,700) and available now.
Bowers & Wilkins 707 Prestige Edition bookshelf loudspeaker boasts upgraded acoustics and finish
Bowers & Wilkins has unveiled the 707 Prestige Edition, a new high-end bookshelf addition to its established 700 Series range. The model is ostensibly the most refined compact speaker the company has produced, within the series, combining upgraded acoustic components with a distinctive luxury finish. Aimed at Hi-Fi enthusiasts seeking performance and craftsmanship in a…
Ruark revisits flagship radiogram with limited edition artisan Made in England R810 MiE
UK Hi-Fi specialist Ruark has announced a limited-edition version of its flagship R810 radiogram, using marquetry and premium veneers, as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations. The R810 occupies a particular niche in today’s audio landscape. Styled as a modern radiogram, it combines mid-century furniture design with contemporary streaming, high-resolution audio support and a wide…
Preamp II-S first look: Nagra brings reference-grade Swiss engineering to new luxury audio series
Combining ravishing industrial design with advanced tube technology and vibration control, Swiss audio specialist Nagra’s newest preamplifier is aimed squarely at posh audiophiles for whom price is secondary to performance. Designed and built in Romanel-sur-Lausanne, the Preamp II-S is the first component in Nagra’s Series II range, positioned between the company’s Compact and HD lines.…
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