Ruark Audio R4i

I thought it was lacking in both treble and base, and anything special.  I then tried it through my 600 whatever Cambride Audio amp and speakers, and it was better.  Is it an option for a cd player and DAB/FM receiver combined at £530 +?  It has a usb port  and deals with ipod and other input, plus with my 4 speakers and its own built in 2 it has 6 speakers.   But you have to buy Apple's Airport Express for wireless funcionality (even though this system I'm reviewing is made by Ruark).  Think I'll send it back for either better analogue HIFI or more modern and better digital or a combination of both, at a higher (lower?) price.  Sorry Ruark, optional extra separate speaker availabilty would help.

I thought it was lacking in both treble and base, and anything special.  I then tried it through my 600 whatever Cambride Audio amp and speakers, and it was better.  Is it an option for a cd player and DAB/FM receiver combined at £530 +?  It has a usb port  and deals with ipod and other input, plus with my 4 speakers and its own built in 2 it has 6 speakers.   But you have to buy Apple's Airport Express for wireless funcionality (even though this system I'm reviewing is made by Ruark).  Think I'll send it back for either better analogue HIFI or more modern and better digital or a combination of both, at a higher (lower?) price.  Sorry Ruark, optional extra separate speaker avalabilty would help.

As you say - its always worth a try before you buy if you can. I can only asume that either the sub control on the rear was turned down or the EQ setting had been changed.

The location probably helps a bit too - mine sits ontop of a solid Oak book case.

Ive just ordered an Apple Airport Express for mine so I can stream wirelessly to it

I purchased the R4i largely unseen – I had looked at reviews online after a friend who owns an older R4 had heartily recommended it. I was looking for an iPhone dock and had considered the cheaper options like a Bose Soundock II etc however I liked the added options of a CD player and USB port as well as the DAB radio so the Ruark R4i was very appealing.

 Having though about this for almost a year I wish I had gone for it sooner. Don’t let the price put you off – this is a far superior product to the basic £200 ipod docks available. Its very well build – very solid and heavy. The walnut finish looks great and is made of a very good quality wood or veneer – it looks real to me and its cheaper.

The sound is the most important thing and it sounds amazing. Very clear and rich. More than loud enough and plenty of bass which can be tweaked by the Sub control knob on the rear and by the audio options on the front (Loudness, 3D and a High/Normal/Low equalizer option).

Not many things in life are perfect and this is no exception. The instruction manual is very basic and getting the hang of the remote takes some doing although it is very much worth it – the remote is one of the best features in my view – who wants a boring candy bar remote when you can have the flying saucer! Its feels as weighty and well build as the main unit itself and seems to work fine for me – I’ve had no range or direction problems reported in other reviews.