questions & answers

Show questions & answers for:   all products R1 R2i R4i

questions & answers for all products

1. My R4i remote control is not working

If the remote and batteries are new, then please check that you have inserted the batteries with the correct polarity as shown in the diagram. Markings on the remote show how the batteries should be orientated and PLEASE NOTE that the spring does not indicate a negative connection! With batteries inserted correctly the ring around the volume control will light blue whenever a function is selected. If this does not happen then please check again to ensure that the batteries are seated and inserted correctly. To help further, we also have a short tutorial video.

If the blue ring is lighting, but you are still not getting communication between the remote and R4, then please contact us so we can troubleshoot and help resolve. Also depending on age it may be that the batteries in the remote are coming to the end of their useable life. Under normal use batteries should last 12-18 months.

2. Will Ruark products work with the new Apple products with Lightning connector?

The introduction of the latest iPod, iPhone and iPad models with Apple’s new style Lightning connector we know has caused some anxiety with customers concerned about future compatibility.

To help rectify this we’ve developed a Lightning Adaptor support (codenamed LAS) which integrates with Apple’s own Lightning to 30-pin adaptor and the iPod dock on our R2i and R4i models, allowing these new Apple products to function in exactly the same way as earlier iPod/iPhone models. The beauty of this simple conversion is that models old and new can be used alongside each other and with millions of iDevices already in use; we feel that such flexibility will be important to many customers for some time to come. You can find out more about our LAS, by clicking here.

Apples Lightning to 30-pin adaptor currently retails in the UK for £25.00 and is available directly from Apple and also many Apple retailers. Our custom support retails for £7.99 and is now available for sale through many of our dealers.

Also with the new Apple models and many other devices, it is now very easy to stream music wirelessly to our products with a Bluetooth receiver such as the QED uPlay, which you can purchase from our website here, or through Wi-Fi with Apples own Airport Express.

3. Are Ruark going to make a version of R2i or R4i with Lightning connector?

Currently we have no plans to introduce versions of R2i or R4i with Apples new style Lightning connector as whilst this would make them compatible with the latest iPod and iPhone models it would of course make them totally incompatible with the millions of iDevices with the original connector already in circulation!  In our opinion these devices will continue to be used for some time to come and this is why we developed our Lightning Adaptor support (codenamed LAS) which integrates with Apple’s own Lightning to 30-pin adaptor, allowing an easy conversion for the latest models. The beauty of this simple conversion is that there is absolutely no degradation in performance and when fitted it looks like part of the system rather than an ugly 'bolt on' accessory.

Apples Lightning to 30-pin adaptor currently retails in the UK for £25.00 and is available directly from Apple and Apple retailers. Our custom support retails for £7.99 and is now available for sale through many of our dealers.

You can find out more about our LAS, by clicking here.

4. I only have a few DAB stations listed. What can I do?

This may be because you live in an area where DAB reception is currently poor. To check this please use our postcode checker (see 'check your DAB coverage' panel on the right) to see which DAB stations you be able to reliably receive. If reception for your area appears to be good, then it may be down to local conditions or building materials. Buildings constructed from steel and reflective glass are not good for radios with internal aerials as they reflect and greatly reduce the strength of radio signals.

Secondly, when our products are first powered up from new, they automatically scan the DAB network to see which services are available. During this time, if the aerial is not fully extended or any of the controls are touched, then this is likely that the scan will corrupted and this will result in a limited number of stations being shown. To correct this you should perform a new AutoScan/AutoTune or System Reset as instructed elsewhere in our FAQs.

5. I can’t listen to some stations shown on my display

When first turned on our products perform a scan of the DAB network collecting information from transmitters near and afar. Nearby stations will be played back without problem, but on far away stations playback may burble or not play at all if the signal is weak. Time of day and weather conditions may also have an effect on the reception of weak stations, but ensuring that the telescopic aerial is fully extended, or using an external aerial will ensure best results.

6. How do I perform a new AutoScan/AutoTune?

Performing a AutoScan/AutoTune will start a fresh search of the DAB channels and will add new stations to your radios internal memory if any are found.

On our original R1 and R2 models there is a button located on the rear panel next to the power input. A short press (press and release) of this button will initiate a quick scan. This scan covers the DAB bands currently being used by most broadcasters. A long press (press and hold) will initiate a full scan. This scan covers all bands allocated for DAB transmissions, although plesae note that these models are not able to playback DAB+ transmissions even though the station name may be displayed.

On R2i and R4i, AutoScan/AutoTune is accessed by the INFO button on the RotoDial control. Usually by short pressing (press and release) this button, information regarding the selected input is displayed, however with a long press (press and hold) other sub functions such as Manual Tune, AutoScan and System Reset are revealed. To perform an AutoScan/AutoTune long press the INFO button until 'Manual Tune' appears and then short press the button again so 'AutoScan' is displayed and then press the OK button to initiate a scan. A short press of the OK button will initiate a quick scan and a long press will initiate a full scan. It is important to note that timing is important when accessing and selecting sub functions. Pressing and holding a button too long or pressing too quickly may mean that functions are missed, however with a little practice you will quickly learn what to do.

On our R1 Mk2, AutoScan/AutoTune is called ‘Full scan’ and is accessed through the INFO/MENU button on the RotoDial control. Like R2i and R4i, short presses of this button show various information regarding the broadcast, but a long press brings up a sub menu for control and configuration settings. Options can be cycled through using the up/down buttons either side of the OK button. The first option on this list is ‘Full scan’. Pressing the OK button when this is shown will initiate a new full scan of all DAB channels.

7. How and when do I perform a System Reset?

When a 'System Reset' is performed the unit is returned to its 'factory default' state and all station and user settings are erased.

In general use it should not be necessary to perform a System Reset, but in some circumstances it can prove useful. For instance, if you move to a different location then it is likely that some displayed stations may no longer be available, so running System Reset will delete these stations and run a fresh scan so only available stations will be shown. System Reset can also prove useful to resolve system glitches! This is a rare occurrence, but if the system ‘freezes’ or behaves erratically then running System Reset often cures these issues.

(R1, R2, R2i & R4i) To perform a System Reset long press (press and hold) the INFO button until 'Manual Tune' appears and then short press (press and release) once or twice (depending on model) until 'System Reset' is displayed and then press and release the OK button to initiate. Please note that timing is important when accessing and selecting sub functions. Pressing and holding a button too long or pressing too quickly may mean that functions are missed. To help further, we have a short tutorial video for you to watch.

(R1 Mk2) On our R1 Mk2, System Reset is accessed through the INFO/MENU button on the RotoDial control. Short presses of this button provides various information regarding the broadcast and signal strength etc, but a long press brings up a sub menu for control and configuration settings. Options can be cycled through using the up/down buttons either side of the OK button. Using these buttons cycle through until ‘System’ is displayed and then press OK. This will bring you to the System menu. Again using the up/down buttons cycle through until ‘Factory Reset’ is displayed and again press OK. Here you will see a message asking you to confirm ‘Factory Reset’. Select ‘Yes’ and then OK to initiate.

8. I can hear a burbling sound when listening to some DAB stations

This is generally caused by a weak signal and the burbling you can hear is the processor trying to fill in the gaps caused by the poor signal. Firstly we recommend that you use our postcode checker (see 'check your DAB coverage' panel on the right) as this gives a good guide as to which DAB stations should be available to you, but please note that it does not take into account, local conditions, obstructions or building materials. If you are having difficulty receiving a good signal, try moving your unit to a different location and if necessary perform a new AutoScan/AutoTune as instructed elsewhere in our FAQ's. For best DAB reception it is important that the aerial on your product should be fully extended and upright.

In areas where DAB reception is currently poor an external aerial will greatly improve results and even in good reception areas an external aerial will guarantee optimum quality, both on DAB and FM broadcasts.

9. Which iPod models are R2i and R4i compatible with?

R2i and R4i are compatible with all iPod models, however recent models with Apple's latest Lightning connector require an adaptor. You can read more about this on our products section here. Early iPod models introduced before 2004 and iPod Shuffle cannot be used in the dock but can be played through the AUX inputs. Leads to do this are available through the ‘spares and accessories’ section of our online shop and most audio stores.

10. Can I connect other type MP3 players to your products?

Any MP3 player that has a standard 3.5mm headphone output can be connected to the AUX inputs that are available on all our products. Suitable leads to do this are available through our online shop and most audio stores.

11. Can I use an iPhone with R2i or R4i?

R2i and R4i will charge and control all iPhone models, but as they are 'Made for iPod' compliant (rather than iPhone compliant) you may hear mobile phone interference if 'flight mode' is not selected. It is worth noting that this interference usually only occurs when iPhone is not receiving a 3G signal and is in standard GSM or EDGE mode. With 3G enabled and a good 3G signal, interference between iPhone models and R2i/R4i will be negligible.

A seldom revealed fact is that even in flight mode it is possible to turn Wi-Fi back on through the Settings menu so streaming functions such as Internet Radio will work unhindered.

12. My R4i will not play CDs!

From experience we've found that if R4i fails to play CDs from new then this is probably down to it being jarred during transit, causing the CD mechanism to become slightly misaligned. If you think that this may be the case, please do not hesitate to contact us directly so we can offer assistance.

Secondly it is important to ensure that all CDs are clean and free from faults and scratches. If one CD doesn’t play, please try others to see if these are OK. If the problem persists it may be due to a build up of dust and dirt in the CD mechanism which can occur through normal use depending on environment. Whatsoever' if playback problems persist then please contact us so we can troubleshoot and help resolve.

13. My R4i will not eject CDs!

From experience we've found that this is usually due to the eject button not being pressed firmly enough or the eject button is being pressed and held for too long. With a short firm press CDs should eject from R4i without any problem. If this is not the case then please contact us for further assistance.

14. My R4i will not play MP3 music files through the USB input

From experience we have found that the most common cause is customers who use iTunes as their digital music manager. By default iTunes saves and stores music as AAC files. This file type is fine for Apple products but is currently not supported by most CD or USB playback systems. To guarantee compatibility with R4i, we recommend that the ‘Import Settings’ in iTunes should be changed to MP3 Encoder with a sampling rate of 160kbps or above for good quality sound reproduction. Depending on whether you’re a PC or Mac user, import setting are accessed through (iTunes/Edit)/Preferences/General/Import settings. These same settings should also be applied for Windows Media Player and other music import programmes.

Secondly it is important to ensure that only compatible music files are stored on your memory stick. Unrecognised files are likely to cause interruptions or cause R4i not to read the downloaded data. We also advise that memory sticks of 4, 8 or 16GB capacity are best. Larger capacity sticks can be used, but are not recommended, as with such a large capacity, errors are more likely to be encountered.

Concerning track and artist information (known as ID3 tags), the following article from Apple's website gives useful information particularly for iTune users http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1868. As described we recommend ID3 Tag V1 as the most reliable, for displaying artist and track info on R4.

15. Where can I purchase batteries for my R4i remote control?

The R4i remote control uses type AAAA batteries. These specialist batteries are not often available from supermarkets or suchlike but can be purchased through electronic stores such as Maplin and many online suppliers. You can also purchase directly from us via our online shop or by calling us on 01702 601410. Depending on usage each set of batteries should provide at least 12-18 months of active life.

16. How do I store radio station presets?

The procedure to store radio stations is very similar for all our models up to and including R4i.

To store a DAB or FM radio station in a numbered preset firstly the station should playing. Decide which preset (number 1-5) that you would like to store the station in and then press and hold the button until 'Preset X Saved' appears on the screen. Repeat this same operation for the other presets. Please note that you can store up to 5 stations in both DAB and FM mode, making a total of 10.

To recall a station, buttons 1-5 on the control should again be pressed, but this time only a short press is required as holding the button down for too long is likely to overwrite and delete a previously stored station. To help further, we also have a short tutorial video to view.

17. Button 3 is not working on my R4i remote control

On the front of the R4 remote control there is a small clear lens which should protrude slightly from the main body. If this lens is inadvertently pushed back into the remote body then it can interfere with the action of button 3. This can be easily fixed by removing the back of the remote control. Please contact us if you need detailed instructions.

18. Can I connect additional speakers to R2i or R4i?

R2i and R4i are fully integrated systems and are not designed to drive additional speakers, however if you do want to add additional speakers, (say for use in another room) this is easily done by using the phono outputs on the rear to drive a secondary system. This could be a stereo amplifier to which you can attach separate speakers or active speakers with in-built amplifiers. You can also take the output from one R2i/R4i and connect to the input on another R2i/R4i and so on and so forth. We call this daisy-chaining and it allows the same music to be synchronised and played in multiple rooms with independent volume control of each unit.

19. Can I connect a turntable/record player to R2i/R4i?

We have quite a few customers who are successfully using turntables with R4i and also R2i to play their record collections. Turntables can be connected via the AUX inputs on all our models but a RIAA phono preamp will be required to bring the tiny output of the cartridge up to a normal phono level. RIAA phono preamps are available through most good hi-fi shops or online. Simply type ‘phono preamp’ into your search engine and you should find plenty of choice.

20. Are your products DAB+ compatible?

DAB+ is a further development of the existing DAB platform (which we currently  use in the UK) and is being adopted by many countries such as Australia, Switzerland and Germany as their choice for terrestrial digital radio. Benefits of DAB+ include improved sound quality with low bitrate transmissions and the ability to provide even more services and stations.

In the UK, Ofcom (who regulate broadcasting) are yet to decide when this new system will be used, but our feeling is that when this happens they will probably have DAB+ run alongside the UK’s current DAB platform for a number of years due to the large number of original format DAB radios that have already been sold. All our current models are ready to receive DAB+ transmissions, so you can rest assured that they are ready for any future changes.

21. Can I connect an iPod/iPhone or other audio devices to R1?

All iPod and iPhone models and other audio devices can be played back through our R1 by using a 3.5mm stereo jack lead from the headphone output of the device to the AUX input on R1.

22. Can I use an iPad with your products?

The dock on R2i and R4i is designed only for iPod and iPhone models, but iPad can easily be connected to all our products by using a 3.5mm stereo jack lead from iPad’s headphone output to the AUX inputs.

Even better, with iPad you can wirelessly stream music to our products using either a Bluetooth receiver or Apples own Airport Express. This is explained in more detail in 'Can I wirelessly stream music to your products?' elsewhere in our Questions & Answers.

23. My unit is not responding properly to the remote control

Depending on usage it may be that the batteries in the remote are coming to the end of their useable life and need replacing.

Secondly, if you are using your unit near to fluorescent lighting, then this may be the problem as some of these devices emit interference which can flood the control system of R2i and R4i resulting in unresponsive or erratic behaviour. These circumstances are unusual but if you think your unit is being affected, please contact us for help and advice.

24. Which iPod/iPhone adaptor should I use in R2i & R4i?

R2i and R4i feature Apples Universal Dock design which will accommodate all 30 pin iPod/iPhone models produced from 2004 to date. Each iPod/iPhone model requires a specific adaptor to guide and help support it, when docked. The following link http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1380 explains more and shows which docking adapter should be used with each iPod/iPhone product. If you don’t have the correct adaptor these can be purchased from Apple retailers and also directly from Apple through their website.

 

Details on using the latest iPod/iPhone models with Lightning connector are explained elsewhere in our Q&A's

All 30 pin iPod/iPhone models can be used in R2i and R4i without adaptors, but care should be taken when inserting and removing. Connectors which are broken or damaged through misuse are not covered by our two year product guarantee.

25. My iPod/iPhone will not playback or charge through the dock

For playback firstly ensure that iPod is selected as the source. This is shown on the display. Secondly if you have fitted a white iPod/iPhone adaptor/support it is important to ensure that you have fitted the correct one for your model. Many adaptors look similar, but subtle differences in size may mean that your iPod/iPhone is not connecting properly. You can read more about adaptors in the question below. If for any reason your iPod or iPhone will still not connect, please contact us for help and advice.

26. Can I connect an external CD Player to R2i?

Compact portable style CD players are easy to connect to our R2i using a suitable lead and either the front or rear auxiliary inputs. Full size separate style CD players can also be connected, but the audio output on these is usually high and this may overload the inputs causing distortion. If this does happen, we can supply leads with built in attenuation to overcome this. For details about this, please contact us.

27. Can I connect a TV to your products?

We already have many customers doing this as the sound of most modern flat panel TVs is poor and so directing the sound to our R2i or R4i models provides a big sonic improvement.

To connect to R2i or R4i you need to ensure that your TV has an analogue audio output. Most do and these are usually red and black phono type sockets to indicate left and right channel output. To connect you will need a suitable stereo phono lead to plug into the auxiliary input on the rear of R2i/R4i. The only possible compatibility issue is if the output on your TV is extra high, as this may overload the inputs causing distortion. If this does happen, we can supply leads with built in attenuation to overcome this. For details about this, please contact us directly.

28. Can I use your products outside of the UK?

Apart from R4i all our models have a power supply which will work with any mains voltage from 100-240v, 50-60Hz. Our R4i uses a fixed voltage power supply and can only be used if the country voltage is near to that stated on the rear panel, 230v - 50Hz etc. If in doubt please contact us directly or your dealer.

For radio reception, our FM tuners will work wherever FM is broadcast but our DAB/DAB+ tuners will only work in countries where this new radio format is being used. For information about DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) worldwide, please visit www.worlddab.org. All other features such as iPod dock, CD and USB will work internationally.

29. I can hear a high pitched whine coming from my R1/R2i power supply

R1 and R2i use a modern switch mode type power supply adaptor which plugs directly into a wall socket or extension lead. These devices are far more energy efficient but very occasionally can emit a low level high frequency whine when not under load and R1/R2i is in standby mode. If you experience such a problem, please contact us for help and advice.

30. I can hear a slight whine coming from my R4i when in standby

In R4i we use two different types of power supply. A high capacity linear supply with a toroidal transformer and a small switch mode supply to keep the clock and logic circuits active when the unit is in standby mode. Using this method power consumption in standby is kept to a minimum so it meets and exceeds current EU regulations. One quirk of switch mode supplies is that when under a light load they can occasionally emit a slight high pitched whine. This whine should be inaudible when R4i is active or when standing away from the unit, but please contact us if you think the noise is higher that it should be, as occasionally some supplies can become noisy as they run in.

31. I can hear a low level hiss from the speakers on my R4i. Is this normal?

This is quite normal and is something that you should only hear when you are very near to the speakers and the volume is very low. This residual noise is created by the internal 3D and EQ processors and its volume does not increase as the volume of R4i is increased. In electronic terms this is usually referred to as Signal to Noise ratio and at normal listening levels this noise will be negligible and should not be heard.

32. Information for Apple iPod 6G and 7G Nano users

Because of their small size and layout, Apple have changed the menu structure on the 6G and 7G Nano models away from that used on other iPod/iPhone models. This means that some menus cannot directly be accessed using the remote controls that come with R2i and R4i. Important functions such as Play, Pause, Forward and Backward are unaffected by this change. This same situation applies to all other iPod docks.

33. Information for users in Germany and Malta

Some DAB+ channels in Germany and Malta are being broadcast on bands that are not currently being used by other countries. This is not a problem, but for R2i or R4i to access these bands, a 'Full Scan' rather than 'Quick Scan' must be performed. How to do this is explained elsewhere in our Q&A's, under 'How do I perform a new AutoScan/AutoTune?'

34. Is the standby button on R2i supposed to light up like R4i?

Although our R2i and R4i models share the same standby button assembly, only on R4i does the outer bezel light up when the unit is active.

35. Can I change the brightness of the display screen when in standby?

R1 MkII: We envisaged that this model would primarily be used as a bedside radio, so we set the screen brightness as low in standby, so it would not disturb sleep. For customers who would like the facility to adjust the screen brightness in standby, we now have a software update available which makes this possible. If required, please contact us for instructions on how to download and install.

R2i and R4i: On these models the brightness of the display screens in standby are set to low, so they can be read in a darkened room and will not disturb sleep, although pressing the OK button, will briefly light up the display to full intensity if required.

36. What is the standby power consumption of your products?

All our latest products comply with the most recent EU regulations on standby power consumption and are some of the best in their class. R1 Mk2 draws under 1.5 watts and R2i and R4i under 2 watts.

37. Apple ‘AirPlay’. What is this and do Ruark Audio products support it?

AirPlay allows music to be wirelessly streamed from Apple devices such as iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad to Airplay enabled speakers. Computers with Wi-Fi and iTunes installed can also wirelessly stream music to AirPlay enabled devices. Apple is not the first to offer such a system, but in the usual Apple style, AirPlay is relatively easy to set-up and install.

In its simplest form with AirPlay, you can stream music from an iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad directly to an AirPlay enabled device. For a more advanced system, using a Mac or PC with iTunes installed and with two or more Airplay enabled speakers, you can wirelessly stream your iTunes music library around your home.

None of our products come with 'AirPlay' built in as we believe that this is a technology that is likely to mature and improve over the coming years and we don’t want our products becoming outdated because of this. For this reason we are currently recommending Apple’s own excellent AirPort Express as the ideal solution for AirPlay applications. This device can be run through the auxiliary inputs on any of our products and beside AirPlay capabilities, it also usefully extends the range of most wireless network systems.

38. How do I tell the difference between R4 and R4i?

Visually R4 and R4i are identical but if the serial number on the rear of the unit, has a lower case ‘i’ on the end, this indicates that the product is of R4i specification with DAB+ capabilities and other technical enhancements. All R4’s manufactured from September 2010 have been of R4i specification.

39. The display on my Ruark Audio has stopped working

Sometimes a jolt of static electricity can cause the display screen to go blank. The products continues to function, but no text or information is displayed.

To resolve this simply disconnect the unit from the power supply, wait for a few seconds and then reconnect. When turned back on the display should function as normal. If for any reason the problem continues please contact us for further help.

40. Can I wirelessly stream music to your products?

None of our products have the ability to directly stream music but if you want to do this there are a couple of methods we recommend as both are easy to set-up and both can be run through the auxiliary inputs on our products. We believe that using an external streaming accessory is currently the best option as this technology is likely to improve and change over the coming years.

The first and easiest option is to use a Bluetooth receiver such as the QED uPlay. Providing your mobile phone, laptop or computer has Bluetooth built, with such a device you can wirelessly stream music to any of our products.

The second and slightly more complex option is to use a device such as Apple’s Airport Express. This device needs some set-up and configuration, so some understanding of Wi-Fi networks is required, but once done you can stream music directly from iTunes on your computer and if you have an iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad you can also wirelessly stream music from these devices. With two or more Airport Express units you can make an easy to set-up multi-room system.

41. Can I receive Internet radio with Ruark Audio products?

For people living outside their own country, or for listening to foreign stations, ‘Internet radio’ is a good way of receiving stations that otherwise would not be available, but from experience we know that the majority of people usually listen to just 2 or 3 stations and in general these are already freely available on the DAB network at the push of a button.

For customers who do want to access ‘internet radio‘ services we highly recommend the use of an iPod Touch (or iPhone) which can be easily connected to all our products including R1 with a suitable lead. With a good internet connection these devices and other smart-phones are capable of providing access to most internet radio services and with many 'Apps' now available you should have all the internet radio access you will need, with the added benefit of software updates as they become available.

42. Why is there a delay between DAB and FM broadcasts?

This is because digital and analogue signals are sent in different ways. Analogue signals like FM are transmitted direct, but digital signals like DAB are digitised before being transmitted and are then processed again before being turned back into sound. This processing adds a slight delay compared to analogue devices.

43. What does the 3D Sound function on R2i and R4i do?

Using some clever sound processing technology (which we call 3D Sound) we are able to create a sound-stage that extends way beyond the compact size of our R2i and R4i products, making them sound like systems with separate stereo speakers.