Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

CD Players

Ruark Wants You To Keep Enjoying CDs With Their R-CD100 Transport: Preview

Add CD playback to the Ruark R410, R610 and R810 music systems for only $350 with the new R-CD100 CD Transport.

Ruark Audio R-CD100 CD Transport atop R410 Music System

Can we have a discussion about Ruark Audio? We feel that it is most certainly in order. UK-based Ruark Audio gets the cold shoulder from North American publications and none of that makes sense. Products like the new Ruark R-CD100 CD Transport are further evidence that manufacturers understand that interest in physical media is not going away and consumers with CDs want to be able to play them long-term.

Earlier in 2023, Ruark introduced the R410 Integrated Music System ($1,799) which integrates a hi-res network streamer, power amplifier, phono pre-amplifier, and loudspeaker. 

More recently, we reported on their innovative R810 Hi-Fi Radiogram ($4,500) which is both a rather strikingly beautiful piece of furniture, and high-end audio console. Just far nicer than anything your father owned in the 1950s or 1960s.

Robert Silva recently covered their new R610 Music Console and Sabre-R bookshelf speakers and we are rather intrigued by this system (and you can use your own passive loudspeakers with the R610) because it offers all of the benefits of something like the Cambridge Audio Evo 75 for less money and has the option of adding a pair of loudspeakers that were designed for it — just like the Cambridge Evo S loudspeakers that we reviewed earlier this year.

Ruark Audio R-CD100 with R610 Music Console and Sabre-R Bookshelf Speakers
Ruark Audio R-CD100 with R610 Music Console and Sabre-R Bookshelf Speakers (sold separately).

Ruark R-CD100

So what’s so interesting about the $350 R-CD100?

It is being marketed as a “CD player” which is somewhat misleading as it does not include its own DAC. It’s a transport. A really cool looking transport — but let’s call it what it really is.

In terms of its front panel controls, the slot-loading R-CD100 features an eject button alongside the power LED housed at the front of the unit. It is also compatible with CD-DA, CD-R and CD-RW discs and features a USB-C connection at the rear, along with support for USB 2.0/3.0.

The industrial design matches the rather sleek looking components from the 100 series like the aforementioned R610, R810, and R410 — we love the walnut casing and aluminium top plate.

Ruark Audio R-CD100 with R410 Music Console
Ruark Audio R-CD100 with R410 Music Console (sold separately).

When you connect the R-CD100 to its powered siblings with the USB-C connection, the transport is immediately recognised as a “CD” source and you can control it with one of their Ruark RotoDial Bluetooth remotes.

The internal 32-bit/384kHz DACs do the rest. Granted, 99% of consumers will be listening to 16–bit/44.1kHz CDs and Ruark has not specified if the DAC upsamples everything. There is no support for DSD, SACD, or MQA.

Which for 99% of the consumers who might add this to an existing Ruark 100 Series system — means absolutely nothing.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Features:

  • Custom CD Drive for 100 Series models
  • Acoustically isolated enclosure
  • Precision, slot loading CD mechanism
  • Whisper quiet operation
  • Compatible with CD-DA and CD-R discs
  • Interface: USB 2.0/3.0
  • Finish: Machined Aluminium top with Fused Walnut cabinet
  • Included items: R-CD100 USB CD player, USB C cable
  • Power input: USB 5V 1A (5W) max
  • Product dimensions: H45 × W175 × D167mm
  • Product weight: 1.2 kg
Ruark Audio R-CD100 CD Transport
Ruark Audio R-CD100

The Bottom Line

The Ruark R-CD100 adds an another physical media option to the 100 series and we really like the simplicity of the design and the ability to control it with one of the coolest looking Bluetooth remotes we have ever seen.

The 100 series offers a lot of value for the money and is unquestionably, one of the best looking ranges of affordable high-end components currently available.

$350 is not a huge ask for a high-end CD transport that will allow you to enjoy your CD collection for years to come.

For more information: ruarkaudio.com

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

Schiit Audio Wotan Stereo Power Amplifier Front Angle Silver

Amplifiers

Lots of power, practical integration and control, and a reasonable price tag make the Wotan power amp worth consideration, especially if you own other...

Fezz Audio Equinox Vacuum Tube DAC in Sunlight Finish Front View Angle Fezz Audio Equinox Vacuum Tube DAC in Sunlight Finish Front View Angle

DACs

Starting at $2,995, the Fezz Audio Equinox Vacuum Tube DAC is the most affordable D/A converter with Lampizator technology.

iFi GO link Max Dongle DAC connected to laptop and IEM iFi GO link Max Dongle DAC connected to laptop and IEM

Dongle DACs

With more power and balanced connectivity, the iFI GO link Max dongle dac is a great upgrade over the previous GO link and only...

Audio CU Sound Over Power Audio CU Sound Over Power

A/V Furniture & Accessories

AUDIO Cu plug-in adapters eliminate long cable runs by sending up to 10 channels of audio over power lines already in your home.

Grimani Systems Psi v3 Subwoofer - Promo Image Grimani Systems Psi v3 Subwoofer - Promo Image

New Products

At $43,600, Grimani Systems' Psi v3 is four subwoofer system that goes in each corner of a home theater for generating up to 115...

20241110_115805-house-of-stereo-focal-t-a-featured 20241110_115805-house-of-stereo-focal-t-a-featured

Loudspeakers

High-end audio dealer House of Stereo brought out the big guns at CAF 2024, featuring two of Focal's finest loudspeakers.

Gift Ideas?

2024 Black Friday Tech Deals Collage

Gift Guides

2024 Black Friday tech deals you won't want to miss on hi-fi, headphones, and home theater gear this Holiday Season.

You May Also Like

Best Right Now

This year's Battle Royale of UST projectors brought eight contenders into a room. Find out which one emerged victorious.

Amplifiers

Just add in-ceiling speakers to Q Acoustics 300A Ceiling Amplifier to bring streaming music and Amazon Alexa into any room.

Loudspeakers

The Danish speaker maker is hoping their new high-end loudspeaker lineup will help the company grow their footprint in North America.

Articles

Eric Pye continues his trip north taking in the Jazz Kissas of Tohoku.

Articles

Eric Pye's Tohoku saga comes to a close in Hakodate, and some final thoughts about his Jazz Kissa journey through Japan.

Music

New Dolby Atmos and 5.1 Surround Mixes Expand Sound Of Tom Petty’s 1982 Hit Long After Dark.

New Products

At $1,400, the fourth-generation Arya Unveiled features a removable “Magnetic Veil” back panel and Stealth Magnet Technology.

News

The eCoustics editorial team grows to its largest point ever, adding coverage for new music releases and custom installation A/V solutions.

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers