This Vintage-Inspired Amplifier Will Make You Want to Get Back Into CDs and Vinyl

Ruark Audio is a British hi-fi company that specializes in wireless speaker systems and compact radios steeped in vintage charm. Its flagship 100 Series of hi-fi components all epitomize that.

To date, this 100 Series comprises everything from music streamers to hi-fi consoles, streaming amplifiers to passive bookshelf speakers. Now the company has added two new hi-fi components: a streaming amplifier capable of playing CDs and a pair of compact floorstanding loudspeakers.

The company claims the two are the “most powerful introduction to the 100 Series yet.”

Ruark Audio

Primed for physical media

The two new additions to the 100 Series are the R710 Music Console and Talisman-R floorstanding speakers. Naturally, the two are designed to work (and match) each other, but they can be purchased separately as well.

Let’s start with the R710. It’s a premium streaming amplifier that has a built-in phono stage. This makes it easy to add a turntable to the system. Most interestingly, the R710 is also integrated with a CD player, a feature not shared by many of today’s streaming amplifiers.

The R710 also offers a variety of wired connections, including HDMI eARC, so it can technically serve as the hub for your home theater.

Ruark Audio

Ruark Audio

Like the rest of today’s breed of streaming amplifier, the R710 is a “just add speakers” hi-fi component. It combines a music streamer, DAC, preamplifier and amplifier all into one box.

On the streaming side, it supports most of today’s Wi-Fi streaming methods, including Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast. It also supports Bluetooth (aptX HD), if that’s your preferred method.

For those who want to play the audio in the highest possible resolution, the R710 supports local music libraries via networked media servers or attached USB storage devices. It supports audio up to 24-bit 384kHz.

Ruark Audio

Ruark Audio

Harkens back to 1970s hi-fi

As an amplifier, R710 can output up to 200 watts per channel and power a wide range of passive bookshelf and floorstanding loudspeakers. Ruark is positioning the R710 as a higher-end version of its R610 streaming amplifier, which delivers 75 watts per channel (and lacks other features, including the integrated CD player).

As shown in the photos, the R710 can be paired with the brand’s new floorstanding speakers, the Talisman-R. They are the 100 Series’s first floorstanding models.

Ruark Audio

Ruark Audio

The Talisman-R is designed to pay homage to the brand’s original Talisman floorstanding speakers, which were released in 1990. It has a similar slim profile with a sloped baffle, which Ruark claims helped distinguish it from many of the time’s rectangular loudspeakers.

Like the originals, the Talisman-R floorstanders have a two-way bass reflex design that features a 165mm treated fiber long-throw woofer and a 27mm silk dome tweeter.

Despite paying homage, Talisman-R are packed with modern engineering.

They pack a “carefully optimized crossover” featuring premium capacitors, resistors, and low-loss inductors. They have a decoupled front baffle to limit vibrations transferring to the drivers. And the cabinet has a new internal bracing system to prevent unwanted distortions.

Ruark Audio

Availability and pricing

Ruark’s R710 Music Console and Talisman-R floorstanding speakers both come in the same two finishes: Fused Walnut veneer or Satin Charcoal lacquer finishes.

At the time of writing, Ruark has only revealed pricing and availability information for customers in the UK. The R710 is priced at £2,199, while the Talisman-R cost £1,499/pair.

They’ll be available in October 2026.

Ruark Audio

Ruark R710 Music Console

• Shop Now at Ruark

Ruark Audio

Ruark Talisman-R Floorstanding Speakers

• Shop Now at Ruark Audio