We tested the Revo SuperSystem in the May issue of What Hi-Fi? magazine but were later told it was a preproduction unit with a different specification. We have since received the correct unit, and this review has been amended to reflect the new model. The remote control has three large preset buttons, which are available separately for each source, so three for FM, three for DAB+, three for internet radio. You store them by simply pressing and holding the button when listening to a station.

Most of their current products include ‘Super’ in the name (SuperCD, SuperConnect, SuperSystem etc.)

Play Together

Some consumers believe that the quality of Roberts products has declined in recent years, but the brand still produces several high-end models with excellent sound quality. Revival iStream 3 The 40W class D amplifier used and the two 3.5″ BMR speakers (balanced mode radiator) ensure room-filling digital audio rich in bass, clarity and details with an extensive sound field.

UNDOK technology links up to five SuperCD or other UNDOK compatible devices (such as our SuperSystem radio) to create a wireless multiroom system. But if you’re happy to pop over to the R3 and switch this manually each time, you can enjoy the best which the R3 has to offer, which is considerable. It’s a delightful CD player, for example, those full-quality files filling the room with well-balanced sound. And the louder you play, the happier the R3 seems to be; the bass available from the two 75mm drivers is remarkable as you raise the level; its response begins in the 40s of hertz and rises impressively smoothly.There is a ‘Music Player’ option which you can use to play either from USB or from music shares on the network, although unfortunately the R3 couldn’t see our NAS drive of music (only our PVR, from which it bravely offered to play episodes of Home and Away etc., but of course couldn’t). From USB it was able to play MP3, AAC, WMA, WAV and FLAC, the last two up to 24-bit/48kHz, so no support for higher-res PCM or DSD. The 2.7 OLED display is also available to give you an insight into whatever is playing, so you can use that to figure out what you want to do next with your system. The only real issue with this machine is that it’s probably too big for a smaller room, as it would fill up too much space.

Cutting-edge sound modelling techniques have been used to design SuperCD’s award-winng sound profile. In tandem with our custom hardware design, SuperCD’s proprietary EQ configuration develops a warm open sound with clarity, detail and deep rich bass – free from coloration and distortion and benefiting from an expansive sound field. It is very easy to go from Spotify in one moment to internet radio in the next. This app also brings in multi-room functionality, in case you have more than one compatible Revo device. Verdict Featuring a CD player, network streamer with Spotify, DAB and FM radios, Bluetooth, auxiliary inputs, multi-room potential and USB charging, one system truly does it all! Factor in Revo’s class-leading sound and style and you have one premium compact system.This radio is very compact (17 x 13.5 x 13 cm), which makes the sound it produces even more impressive. The engineering that went into this unit also means that you continue to access the same unbeatable music quality at any volume. Even if you crank the sound up all the way, you’ll be able to achieve the same composure with even the most complex tunes. The 15cm bass driver certainly helps to support this, ensuring that you can always obtain a rich and warm undercurrent in your songs. In addition to Internet radio and streaming, the SuperCD also offers DAB and FM wavebands. DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) gives access to the widest range of stations in the UK, in crisp and clear digital sound quality. In case your favourite stations aren't available in DAB, then the SuperCD is also equipped with an FM tuner. Boasting RDS for station naming, this is almost as easy to use as DAB and still provides great sound quality. We changed to internet radio – it was no better, indeed slightly worse on low-resolution stations. We were worried by this, to be honest: it was not the sound we expect from Ruark devices, which normally present a warm friendly radio sound. Of more interest is how the Revo converts these signals to sound. The SuperSystem is built around a pair of 3 inch BMR drivers that fire forwards. BMR is an acronym for Balanced Mode Radiator and this is something that Revo has been working on for a little while. Technically, a BMR is two drivers in one. The front of it is a panel section that produces high frequency signals by passing an electrical current across the panel section exciting it to produce soundwaves. This is then augmented by mounting the panel on a conventional pistonic mount that allows it to produce far more bass than would be the case.