Ruark MR1 MK2 or SMSL+speakers?

psykix

psykix

psykix

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17 Jan 2007
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576
I'm looking to replace my Acoustic Energy Aego M which are donkey's years old - want to go 2.0 instead of 2.1. Not bothered about surround sound etc.

I can't decide whether to get the Ruark, or the SMSL SA300 and then I can't decide on speakers.. Dali Spektor 1 (possibly 2 depending upon size) or Q Acoustics 3010i or 3020i...

Choices choices.. anyone got the Ruark?

Want to keep cost below £300..
 
Watching this with interest as i too am looking to finally replace my Aego M speakers, also with a 2.0 as i bought a sit/stand desk adn cant really be having a sub on the floor now :)

I was looking at the Ruark but a little put off by the whole bluetooth thing, like they are just sonos style speakers and not really designed to be used with a soundcard (i have an AE-5).
 
I purchased the MR1s at the end of April, so they've been getting daily use whilst working from home during lockdown.

I'm very pleased with them. I've had to "re-wind" tracks on Spotify as I've picked out things I've never heard before. Mind you, the previous PC speaker bar I had cost about £15! I'm driving mine via an optical out from my (rather old) Asus Xonar DGX.

Size was important to me - I didn't want to go as large as the 2010i or bigger models.

It might be worth dropping Ruark an e-mail. They sometimes have graded MR1s on their website and that saves a few pennies:

https://shop.ruarkaudio.com/collect.../copy-of-new-mr1-mk2-bluetooth-speaker-system
 
Thanks for the reply.. That's useful to know!

I'm also considering the Stjeles NS3 now.. £200 is a more comfortable price, as they will only be used sporadically.
 
I ended up buying a second hand set of Audio Pro Addon T14 - quite impressed with them so far.

Does it make any difference if you have windows audio at 100% and control volume with speakers or vice versa?

It seems to sound slightly better with Windows at 100% and controlling volume with speakers, but it could be placebo effect!
 
I have the MR1 mk2 now and previously owned the Aego M and Q Acoustics BT3.

The Ruarks are a very nice upgrade from the BT3, which in turn were a big upgrade from the Aegos, which tend to suffer from their size.

Ignore the fact that they're bluetooth speakers - you really need a dac/preamp to get the most out of them (there's a 3.5mm jack on the back of the speakers). They really do shine with a decent dac and I can't believe how much more detail I get out of music.

With the BT3, I tended to reach for my headphones for serious listening, but with the Ruarks I find I'm really enjoying using them.

What are you using to drive them?
 
A separate DAC is of no worth for those people that have speakers with optical input, as you are already using the DAC built in to the speakers.
 
Marsman said:
A separate DAC is of no worth for those people that have speakers with optical input, as you are already using the DAC built in to the speakers.
Click to expand...

Sorry, should have been more clear. You'll want to use a USB dac and the analogue connection on the speakers. SPDIF works on PC, but USB will give you better sound. Similarly, a standalone DAC will do a much better job than the one built into the speakers.
 
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