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 range of connectivity options.
Ruark first introduced its Made in England initiative back in 2021 with the R5 MiE, a project intended not as a return to mass manufacturing, but as a showcase for traditional skills and slower, more deliberate production.
The R810 MiE extends that to the brand’s most luxurious all-in-one, pairing the familiar acoustic and streaming platform of the standard R810 with significantly elevated cabinet craftsmanship.
In functional terms, the R810 MiE mirrors the standard model’s feature set. Streaming support includes Apple AirPlay and Google Cast, alongside Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect and Qobuz Connect. Built-in services include Apple Music, BBC Sounds and Deezer, with high-resolution audio handled up to 32-bit/192kHz.
There are also Internet radio, DAB/DAB+ and FM tuners, plus HDMI ARC/eARC for TV integration, allowing the system to serve as both a music and television audio hub.
The R810 MiE extends the brand’s most luxurious all-in-one system, pairing the standard R810 with significantly elevated cabinet craftsmanship…
Elevated craftsmanship and limited production
Where the R810 MiE distinguishes itself is in how it is made. Limited to just 50 units per model, the special edition is hand-crafted, with two finishes available: Penta-Chord Walnut and Leaf-Line Oak.
Historically associated with fine furniture and status pieces, marquetry is a labour-intensive process that demands careful planning and considerable patience. Selected veneers are cut and arranged by hand to create contemporary patterns that nod to traditional techniques, before being bonded to the cabinet.
Once cured, multiple layers of lacquer are applied, with hand-sanding between coats, producing a depth and lustre that is difficult to replicate through industrial processes.
The cabinet and grille components have been crafted exclusively by Storm Furniture, a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, whose work is more commonly found in bespoke residential interiors. After production, each component is transported to Ruark’s Southend headquarters for final hand assembly, testing and packing.
According to Ruark Managing Director Alan O’Rourke, the Made in England project is less about scale and more about intent. “We’ve long envisioned bringing some production back to the UK. While volume production isn’t viable, our MiE project focuses on unmatched quality through hands-on craftsmanship, free from time constraints, making MiE truly special,” he says.
Each R810 MiE carries an engraved wooden plaque on the rear panel as proof of authenticity, reinforcing its status as a collector-grade object as much as a high-fidelity music system. The Ruark R810 MiE is priced at £6,495.
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.…
New Sony turntables are something of a rarity, so it’s with some excitement that we greet two new decks from the brand, the PS-LX3BT and PS-LX5BT. Combining fully automatic operation with Bluetooth connectivity, they’re aimed at both newcomers to vinyl, and record collectors looking to upgrade their analogue game. In addition to one-button, fully automatic…
Southport-based iFi audio has launched the iDSD Phantom, a statement home Hi-Fi component that serves as a high-end music streamer, preamplifier, audiophile-grade headphone amp and DAC. The Phantom moniker is no misnomer, iFi makes no secret of the fact that it’s chanelling Rolls-Royce for inspiration here. Both in terms of design and specification, the unit …
The Luxe Review 
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 range of connectivity options.
Ruark first introduced its Made in England initiative back in 2021 with the R5 MiE, a project intended not as a return to mass manufacturing, but as a showcase for traditional skills and slower, more deliberate production.
The R810 MiE extends that to the brand’s most luxurious all-in-one, pairing the familiar acoustic and streaming platform of the standard R810 with significantly elevated cabinet craftsmanship.
In functional terms, the R810 MiE mirrors the standard model’s feature set. Streaming support includes Apple AirPlay and Google Cast, alongside Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect and Qobuz Connect. Built-in services include Apple Music, BBC Sounds and Deezer, with high-resolution audio handled up to 32-bit/192kHz.
There are also Internet radio, DAB/DAB+ and FM tuners, plus HDMI ARC/eARC for TV integration, allowing the system to serve as both a music and television audio hub.
Elevated craftsmanship and limited production
Where the R810 MiE distinguishes itself is in how it is made. Limited to just 50 units per model, the special edition is hand-crafted, with two finishes available: Penta-Chord Walnut and Leaf-Line Oak.
Historically associated with fine furniture and status pieces, marquetry is a labour-intensive process that demands careful planning and considerable patience. Selected veneers are cut and arranged by hand to create contemporary patterns that nod to traditional techniques, before being bonded to the cabinet.
Once cured, multiple layers of lacquer are applied, with hand-sanding between coats, producing a depth and lustre that is difficult to replicate through industrial processes.
The cabinet and grille components have been crafted exclusively by Storm Furniture, a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, whose work is more commonly found in bespoke residential interiors. After production, each component is transported to Ruark’s Southend headquarters for final hand assembly, testing and packing.
According to Ruark Managing Director Alan O’Rourke, the Made in England project is less about scale and more about intent. “We’ve long envisioned bringing some production back to the UK. While volume production isn’t viable, our MiE project focuses on unmatched quality through hands-on craftsmanship, free from time constraints, making MiE truly special,” he says.
Each R810 MiE carries an engraved wooden plaque on the rear panel as proof of authenticity, reinforcing its status as a collector-grade object as much as a high-fidelity music system.
The Ruark R810 MiE is priced at £6,495.
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.…
Sony returns to vinyl with two new fully automatic Bluetooth turntables – here’s how they differ
New Sony turntables are something of a rarity, so it’s with some excitement that we greet two new decks from the brand, the PS-LX3BT and PS-LX5BT. Combining fully automatic operation with Bluetooth connectivity, they’re aimed at both newcomers to vinyl, and record collectors looking to upgrade their analogue game. In addition to one-button, fully automatic…
iFi iDSD Phantom first review: flagship streaming headphone amp brings studio grade audio home
Southport-based iFi audio has launched the iDSD Phantom, a statement home Hi-Fi component that serves as a high-end music streamer, preamplifier, audiophile-grade headphone amp and DAC. The Phantom moniker is no misnomer, iFi makes no secret of the fact that it’s chanelling Rolls-Royce for inspiration here. Both in terms of design and specification, the unit …
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