News

Music centres are the perfect solution for those that are short on space, and Ruark Audio has become something of a master of the form (see its R4 Mk3 on theGroup Test in HFC 411), so the news that the British manufacturer has upgraded its R7 is very welcome. We reviewed the original R7 in HFC 384, commenting on its styling cues taken from the classic radiogram, which updates the traditional ‘wireless’ by including digital, analogue and internet tuners, along with a slot-loading CD player. Ruark Audio tells us that the updated R7 benefits from further audio enhancements to its amplifiers and speaker crossovers that results in a smoother and more extended frequency response with improved soundstage, making the listening experience even more realistic and enjoyable. The revised model still offers DLNA wi-fi and aptX Bluetooth connectivity for streaming of music from smartphones, laptops and network storage devices, as well as more traditional analogue and digital connectivity hookups – and a charging port for smartphones and tablets.

Ruark’s R4 Integrated Music System (IMS) incorporates a CD player, aptX Bluetooth connectivity, DAB/DAB+/FM tuners with a 2. 1 speaker system. The third-generation R4 IMS looks familiar but, says Ruark, it has a sleeker profile, an OLED display, RotoDial controller and an ergonomically designed remote. The updated slot-loading CD mechanism provides CD text info with compatible discs, and the rear panel has a USB playback port for MP3, AAC and WMA files (which also doubles as a mobile charge port) along with optical digital and RCA analogue inputs.

UK-designed retro-feel music console and speakers

Russ Andrews has announced the re-introduction of its iconic yellOPower mains lead, which first took the hi-fi world by storm back in the late nineties. As Russ Andrews Accessories celebrates its 30th anniversary, the company decided to mark the occasion by updating and relaunching yellOPower. yellOPower boasts eight individually insulated pure copper conductors alongside Kimber's unique woven cable geometry for effective interference rejection. the cable is insulated with PVC for low impedance and wrappedin a flexible, black Tecflex sleeving, with yellow heatshrinks as a nod to the original all-yellow cable.

New supports for smaller components

While the growing popularity of vinyl has been widespread, less well reported is the increasing popularity of SACD and its hi-res charms. With this very trend in mind, T+A has unveiled its new MP 3100 HV do-it-all multimedia player able to spin CD and SACD discs alongside radio from itsFM and DAB+ tuners and HD streaming from network servers, while Bluetooth is on handfor wireless playback frommobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. The basic design philosophy of the MP 3100 HV is based upon the existing MP 300 HV, meaning that DSD data is handled by the 1-bit converter in native formas a bitstream rather than being converted. This makes it possible to reproduce DSD data upto DSD512 via the USB input.

DETAILS PRODUCT Scansonic MB-1 ORIGIN Denmark TYPE 2-way standmount loudspeaker WEIGHT 6. 1kg DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 178 x 312 x 286mm FEATURES ● Ribbon tweeter ● 115mm mid/bass driver ● Impedance: >6ohm DISTRIBUTOR Dantax A/S TELEPHONE +45 982476 77 WEBSITE scansonic. dk Read the full review in issue 398 . .