Ruark Audio R1 MkII desktop radio

The Ruark Audio R1 MkII desktop radio continues to impress us with its elegant simple looks, easy functionality and great sounds.

Ruark Audio have tried, and succeeded, in making a desktop radio that not only looks great, but performs just as well. From it's simple, elegant lines to its wealth of functions, it's no wonder that the R1 MkII continues to pick up awards, including the prestigious What Hi-Fi? Best DAB/FM radio 2011.

The R1 MkII has an FM and DAB+ tuner built in, but also has a handy 3.5mm input for your MP3 player, plus a headphone output as well. It's also got a fantastically comprehensive alarm clock, with 2 different alarm settings. Each can be set independantly to radio or a buzzer, and can be set for once only, daily, weekends or weekday, and can be set to individual volume levels.

There's also a snooze function plus an adjustable sleep timer, so if you choose to use this as your wake up call, you should find everything catered for.

However, this unit is very adaptable. It makes a great kitchen unit too, with clear sound filling your room,..but it can also be easily turned into a portable device with the addtion of two very useful bits of kit. The first is the BackPack, a unique and clever rechargeable battery pack that will enable you to use your R1 MkII on the move. It slots neatly onto the back of the unit, and also recharges off your existing R1 MkII power suppy. Ruark Audio claim that by making this pack extermal, it helps improve sound quality - and there is some truth in this. Any speaker uses the cabinet to create depth of sound, so by removing the battery compartment from the unit itself, sound can be realised better. We love how portable this makes the unit, but also love how it seeems to integrate so beautifully with the unit.

There's also a handy carry pack, called unsurprisingly the CarryPack. This leather outer casing for the R1 MkII again blends in perfectly with the overall look of the unit, and allso gives a robust and protective shell for your unit, as well as a handy carry handle.

All in all, we can't fault this unit. Unless you are desperate for stereo sound or an iPod dock, this unit should give you many happy hours with minimum fuss and great sound.

Product name change

On February 29th 2012, Vita Audio announced the change of name from Vita Audio to Ruark Audio. This change is historic; Vita Audio was created in 2004 by Ruark Acoustics, a long standing speaker manufacturer. In 2012 they decided to bring the Vita Audio brand name under the same 'umbrella' as Ruark Acoustics, and thus Ruark Audio was born.

It's still the same company and the same products - no change to anything other than the name! Your Vita Audio product is still supported just as before. Whilst switchover occurs, some stock may still in fact be branded Vita Audio, and some will be rebadged - but be assured that it's the same quality product with the same features, reliability and sound quality.