Rethm coming out with bookshelf speakers - Aarka

[Sivasathya]

One more query, are those metal mesh removable..

Yes it's detachable. I am sending you a pic without the grill

 

[Sivasathya]

Both the front and back grills are detachable. They are magnetic. It's quite easy to remove or reattach.

 

[himadri]

Here are some photos at my home. I am having it in my bed room - kindly excuse me of the rac- it's not meant for aarkas
The ones meant for aarkas are still in the process. I have just kept in it in my old rac

Since my new rack is still being made. I have just kept it in my old rack for the time being. I have kept Aarkas 1 feet from the wall. And trying verying distance from the wall, as to ascertain where it performs best.

Lovely speakers. Having moved to a more intimate Harbeth P3esr stand mounts from the larger Usher floorstanders in a nearer field setup since the last couple of years , I really don't miss my larger rig. The Aarkas look ideal for such a setup. Tidal, J River or Audirvana, a NOS DAC and the self powered Aarkas may be all you need in this small but cosy rig.

 

[cooltoad]

How do you connect more than one device in active mode?

 

[jenson]

How do you connect more than one device in active mode?

It requires a pre-amp as bare minimum..? Or a source with volume control.

From looks of it, it can only accept one unbalanced connection

Level control is just for the woofer section

 

[Sivasathya]

How do you connect more than one device in active mode?

Hi cooltad
Devices are you meaning ? Power amp / integrated amp
Or the preamp/ dac / source ?

 

[Sivasathya]

It requires a pre-amp as bare minimum..? Or a source with volume control.

From looks of it, it can only accept one unbalanced connection

Level control is just for the woofer section

Hi jenson

You can use like streamer - dac- preamp - aarka
Or just a source with volume control

you are right - it accepts one unbalanced connection

and it can be used as a passive speakers
You can use banana plugs - any integrated / power amp

 

[cooltoad]

Hi cooltad
Devices are you meaning ? Power amp / integrated amp
Or the preamp/ dac / source ?

Hi, I mean multiple sources like CDP, dac, tuner, etc.

Since there is no dac, I understand no Aux or optical in can be connected as in KEF.

 

[Sivasathya]

Hi, I mean multiple sources like CDP, dac, tuner, etc.

Hi cooltad
Probably you may need a rca switcher

Hi, I mean multiple sources like CDP, dac, tuner, etc.

 

[cooltoad]

Yes, a good quality switcher which doesn’t degrade sound is required.

 

[Sivasathya]

Since there is no dac, I understand no Aux or optical in can be connected as in KEF.

Yes you are right.if you want to connect digital source - you will need a dac - from dac you can connect to rca switcher - aarka

Since there is no dac, I understand no Aux or optical in can be connected as in KEF.

 

[Sivasathya]

Yes, a good quality switcher which doesn’t degrade sound is required.

Very true - and it’s very tricky to get a good one - which does not colour the sound

 

[Deleted member 15865]

Hi, I mean multiple sources like CDP, dac, tuner, etc.

I think the Aarka’s need a preamp (active or passive) for volume control and switching between multiple analog inputs. @Sivasathya, correct me if I am wrong.

Also Siva, how many hours on them yet?

 

[cooltoad]

I think a schit Sys should do

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com

 

[Deleted member 15865]

I think a schit Sys should do

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

www.schiit.com

Yes. And the choice between active/passive pre is subjective. I have the Sys and have tried bypassing the pre section of my integrated. But while that improves transparency and provides more insight into the sound, I lose the textured and relaxed play from the active pre which I prefer as I listen long hours.

Rethm are known to already provide good insight for the analytically minded, so I’d imagine pairing with an active pre, especially one with warmer tone, might be more common.

 

[Sivasathya]

I think the Aarka’s need a preamp (active or passive) for volume control and switching between multiple analog inputs. @Sivasathya, correct me if I am wrong.

Also Siva, how many hours on them yet?

Hi Sachin
You are right,
Aarkas scale proportionally to the electronics you feed. Now around 60 plus hours

 

[Deleted member 15865]

Now around 60 plus hours

Are you observing any change from your first impressions as they put on hours? Any further opening of the bass or smoothening of the treble as you go?

Also, on the placement - you found they gave best bass reinforcement with a foot’s separation from the wall, Any reason why during the Rethm demo they were placed 10 ft from the front wall? It’s unlikely that most users would have that kind of room space.

 

[cooltoad]

Hi Sachin
You are right,
Aarkas scale proportionally to the electronics you feed. Now around 60 plus hours

Did you get a chance to compare the Aarka with the Bhaava and is the bass better on the Aarka?

 

[Sivasathya]

Are you observing any change from your first impressions as they put on hours? Any further opening of the bass or smoothening of the treble as you go?

Also, on the placement - you found they gave best bass reinforcement with a foot’s separation from the wall, Any reason why during the Rethm demo they were placed 10 ft from the front wall? It’s unlikely that most users would have that kind of room space.

After about 50 hours - the bass control is increased. The top end is Opening up.
initiall when I connected the tube power amp- I did not hear the top end shimmer of the female vocals. Now I can hear it - it’s very lively
About the second part- I had a detailed discussion with Jacob.
I had requested him also to try going closer to the wall. Waiting for his impression.

I had kept aarkas in my living room also - 32*16 feet.
It does not sound like a monitor - it can easily fill the room. But for such a large room - it sounded best around 2-3 feet
From the back wall

and the bass was just adequate
For the large room I supplemented with the rel sub it was superb.
the main driver is very capable- even at high spl it maintains the composure.

Did you get a chance to compare the Aarka with the Bhaava and is the bass better on the Aarka?

Hi I have heard bhaava, I did not do a a-b testing
But my observation is that bhaava-bass is there but a little diffuse.

Whereas in aarkas the bass is very directional - hence you can feel like a Palpable fast bass.

 

[cooltoad]

Hi I have heard bhaava, I did not do a a-b testing
But my observation is that bhaava-bass is there but a little diffuse.

Whereas in aarkas the bass is very directional - hence you can feel like a Palpable fast bass.

Do you feel like you may need to add a sub? not now, but later.