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Lawrence001
26-05-2019, 23:11
Just arrived 90 mins ago courtesy of a generous Wam taxi from Wam member GLB. Sounding superb as expected. No room issues either which is great, I did have a few concerns.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190526/4b85f2a2d41c20f52600f80ef5763e0b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190526/ddf4b67f3aebd986062fd3136dd18865.jpg

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southall-1998_mk2
27-05-2019, 13:52
Looks nice. Looking at them reminds me of the Mission 753 a little bit.

S.
Lawrence001
27-05-2019, 14:39
Yes slightly kitsch wooden side panels in common, but the drivers and cabinets of these are a few levels up from the good old missions.

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walpurgis
27-05-2019, 14:44
You haven't actually said what they are and I don't recognise the model.
Macca
27-05-2019, 15:12
They look pretty serious.
Lawrence001
27-05-2019, 15:20
Ah sorry I thought everyone knew them, Ruark Solstice, basically a more practical scaled down Excalibur. Or if you like, a massively scaled up Crusader, although I think these are the reference range with better components. Review to follow when I've familiarised myself with their sound.

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Macca
27-05-2019, 16:32
They are pretty serious then!
Lawrence001
27-05-2019, 16:50
They are pretty serious then!In the non-rarefied high end world we used to live in, I'd say they are. But compared to some stuff out there now they're rather old hat. Still good enough for me though.

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hifinutt
27-05-2019, 17:43
GLB deserves a very big pat on the back for getting those big things to you !!! :eek:
Lawrence001
27-05-2019, 18:12
GLB deserves a very big pat on the back for getting those big things to you !!! :eek:Especially as he was just behind me in the queue and could have bagged them himself if he hadn't offered to collect them for me. Now that's a good guy. Hopefully what comes around goes around, good karma etc. Needless to say he has first dibs.

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struth
27-05-2019, 18:17
Looking there the one on left the top bit looks off the level.

Nice looking speakers. Impressive
Lawrence001
27-05-2019, 22:27
Looking there the one on left the top bit looks off the level.

Nice looking speakers. ImpressiveYou're right Grant but I think it's just the lens on my mobile phone camera causing the effect. Can't remember what it's called now when that happens.

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Spectral Morn
28-05-2019, 09:24
Its incredibly sad what Ruark have become :(
ovlov854
28-05-2019, 09:33
Its incredibly sad what Ruark have become :(

Absolutely right. Ruark produced some marvellous speakers. I had a pair of Crusaders Mk 2 bi-amped and tri- wired to a pair of Naim 160.:eyebrows:
Enjoy your new toys Lawrence
Lawrence001
28-05-2019, 10:23
Its incredibly sad what Ruark have become :(Yes when you look at the company history on the website it says their last, less conventional looking, hifi range didn't sell so well while the lifestyle speakers sold like hot cakes hence the change. Reminds me a bit of when Castle changed their range to those curved shape ones and went under partly as a result. At least Ruark survived.
Absolutely right. Ruark produced some marvellous speakers. I had a pair of Crusaders Mk 2 bi-amped and tri- wired to a pair of Naim 160.:eyebrows:
Enjoy your new toys LawrenceThanks I'm just going through fine tuning the system to suit them and my taste but the one thing I don't need to do is control the bass surprisingly (after stuffing one of the two front ports) it's the mid and treble that are a little forward to my taste. Tried the switches at the back but it's more quality than quantity I think. Not criticising the speakers at all, my system might have become a little forward sounding to suit the Celestions and these speakers are quite an open window.

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Lawrence001
28-05-2019, 10:27
Actually thinking about it and the sort of prices that high end speakers sell for these days, it might be an opportune time for Ruark to revisit offering their reference range. They just need to avoid chucking a ribbon tweeter in them as an update, as I heard they didn't really gel in the late Crusader model. Not heard them myself mind you.

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