Redgum Audio

Hi-Fi Component System

Keep the Mr. Sheen Handy, as there's plenty to polish on this all- Aussie System   By Nic Tatham

Ever get the urge to fully support your local hi-fi industry? It's something that's easily done if you're after a pair of loudspeakers - there's plenty of Aussie brands to choose from. And we've our fair share of amplifier manufacturers too, but if you really want to 'buy Australian' completely, there's not many manufacturers that can offer you source components, amplification, loudspeakers and even matching furniture to put it all on. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Redgum Audio's the only single Aussie hi-fi manufacturer that does the lot.

We've had a fair few examples of Redgum's gear through the AVL, office over the years and in that time, the Melbourne-based manufacturer has expanded '  to the point where it now produces CD players, a tuner, a range of amplifiers both two and multichannel, two loudspeaker models, a sumptuous equipment rack and most recently, a DVD player has just joined the Redgum ranks. It's a prolific line-up and it's all 'True Blue'.

We've looked at both the RGi60 and RGCD2 in the past, but there's been some pretty significant changes, especially to the amp, and partnering the electronics here is a pair of the standmountable RGS13 loudspeakers. The sumptuousness of the system is beautifully enhanced by the addition of the Redgum Audio Stand - one of the most attractive pieces of hi-fi furniture you're likely to come across.

As the name and picture opposite suggests, there's a fair bit of wood in Redgum's products and this aesthetic signature is just one element that makes these truly unique hi-fi and AV products. Redgum's also one of extremely few Aussie brands that have made successful inroads into both the American and European markets, with the unique styling and design concepts proving a popular combination in these saturated and tough markets. Part of the products' success is down to their distinct Australian flavour, but also the engineering and conceptual design also makes them tremendously appealing.

Apart from drop-dead gorgeous looks, there's plenty happening under the lid of these components and within the speakers' cabinets. The source component is the WCD2, a combined CD transport and Digital-to-Analogue converter (DAC). It's not quite unique in its design, but shares a similar design principle to what's regarded as probably the world's best CD/13V13 player Meridian's $25,000 800 Series machine. The CD2 will only set you back $995, but both machines use a computer CDROM drive as the principle laser assembly and transport mechanism. A Creative infrared drive has been the preferred choice over the past few years, but what with the ever-changing nature of the computer industry, the CD2 now comes equipped with a 52x speed BenQ/Acer device. There's no longer any remote control ability, a feature most owners found useful, but not absolutely necessary, according to Redgum, and there's plans to develop an affordable DVD-Video playing version in the near future. Apart from the sonic value of using a CD-ROM drive, there's a huge economic reason too and being able to swap the drive as the laser life comes to an end makes huge long-term operating sense.

The RGi60 has seen some changes, both internally and cosmetic since I last played with one with a few notable finetuning improvements. Gone are the cooling fans that used to be noticeably noisy at low listening levels and the amp's now equipped with heavier-duty 4mm binding posts. The output remains the same at 60 watts and there's five line level inputs. Redgum also produces a standalone phono preamp for vinyl spinners to use in conjunction with any of its amps.

The amp comes in two versions with either single or dual volume controls and the trademark Redgum key acts as the power on/off switch. It's also got some practical value in that you can 'lock' the amp up so the kids can't blow things up with their Eminem CDs and Redgum also holds a registry of key numbers and holders, so if the amp happens to go walkabout, there's a list of stolen serial numbered amps on Redgum's website.

The wooden panels on both the CD player and amp are cosmetically matched, making for aesthetic twins and are machined from the same piece of solid timber. Highly polished and lacquered, the end result is audio gear that looks more like pieces of quality furnishings, rather than an ugly black box. And what can truly be described as a piece of furniture in its own right is the beautiful Audio Stand that also bears the Redgum badge. It's a threepiece design with both legs and crosspiece machined from solid Red Gum. Three bevel-edged clear glass shelves slide snugly into machined grooves and with the electronics in place, the result is a stunning-looking system.

To cap it off, the CD player and amp are joined by a pair of RGSB Link Series speakers, finished in Red Gum veneer (what else) and it's very rare that you ever come across such an attractive hi-fi system. The RGSBs are the smaller of two models from Redgum, and are a fairly straightforward, but very solid pair of 2-way bass reflex design. The speakers construction is first class, with a craftsman-like finish and level of build quality that leaves no small detail overlooked.

The final (although very important) consideration is the accessories. Here, we've partnered the speakers with a pair of Concorde SP24 speaker stands - a solid metal single column design that can be lead-filled. The CD2 comes with a decent interconnect (not the throw away patch cords) and Redgum included some heavy gauge Neotech multistrand speaker cable and substantial Neotech locking 4nun banana plugs. All you need do is supply the electrical juice and some CDs.

It's so complete in fact, that one lucky AVI- reader will win it. We always have a really tempting subscription prizes and over the next six issues, if you subscribe to Audio & Video Lifestyle your name will go into the draw and you'll be in the running to win the entire package - cables and all, worth over $6,289.

But before we pack it all up and ship it off to one incredibly fortunate reader, we thought we'd better review the system in its entirety, so whoever wins it know's what to expect and the rest of us can drool over it.

Whether it costs you just the price of a subscription, or you part with the full cash amount, either way, this is one tasty 2-channel system. Not only does it look the absolute business, it supplies a pedigree sound, and one with its own signature. The entire system gels and from the very first few notes that emerge from the speakers, it's clear that there's an immediacy and purpose to this Redgum system. It's something that grabs your attention straight from the word go and you're held in its multilayered sonic charms.

The first ingredient into the mix is the technical make-up of the CD2. It uses a Burr-Brown DAC, namely its PCM171OU dual 20-bit chip. The rest of the actual digital design was by another Aussie hi-fi guru, John De Sensi of MusicLabs, while the analogue and power supply stages were the responsibility of Redgum. The sonic nature of the CD player works hand in hand with any of the Redgum amps, and the RGi60s in particular is grateful of the quality of this source. The two combined deliver the system's obvious enthusiasm, something that's also reflected by the RGSB speakers.

Of course, the true test of any system is its musicality, and there are some pieces of music that demand a little respect. One such track is Jeff Buckley's Grace from his album of the same name. All 10 songs are wonderfully crafted and his passionate vocals sound full of emotion on the Redgum system. It gives a strong feeling of intimacy and proximity to the artist without forcing the music upon the listener. Listening to Jeff Buckley means you often have to be in the right frame of mind - these Redgums will definitely put you in it.

"Not only does it look the absolute business, it supplies a pedigree sound, and one with its own signature. The entire system gels and from the very first few notes that emerge from the speakers, it's clear that there's an immediacy and purpose to this Redgum system. It's something that grabs your attention straight from the word go and you're held in its multi-layered sonic charms."

On a very different musical tack, it's a different set of qualities that are put into action with the ambient atmospherics of Moby's 18. The system submerges you in a lush, tilting sound, delivering fluid depth that urges you to take the plunge. There's enthralling presence with this sort of easy-going music and on the odd occasion when a couple of the 18 tracks' tempo picks up, the change in pace is duly noted by the Redgums.

So far, so good. It's worth mentioning at this stage of the proceedings how impressive the RGSB speakers are. The review (and prize) pair came with a set of single-wire terminals and having lived with them for a number of days, slowly settled into the job at hand. The cabinets are of medium proportions, although the speakers are easily capable of producing a much substantial 'out of the box' listening experience. Soundstaging and bass weight are both greater than you'd expect at first sight and they have an pleasant ability to sound larger than their physical dimensions.

Forward-firing, bass reflex in design, they don't complain unduly if shoved up against a rear wall, although because there's some truly useful bass weight here, the speakers' remain tightest with around half a metre to spare from the Giprock. Allied to this low-end clout there's plenty of speed and attack too. Further up the frequency range the clarity and pace is maintained, with a smooth, clean crispness that brings a vivacious openness to vocals and guitars, another aspect well demonstrated by the Jeff Buckley CD.

Thanks to a very high 92db sensitivity and nominal 8 ohm impedance, these speakers are an easy load for modest amps and the 60 watts of the RGi60s certainly goes a very long way. Out of curiosity I also tried the Redgums on the end of some additional Aussie amplification, an ME 24/55011 pre/power combination and the RGSBs are happy to relish the extra grip a more hefty power amp can provide.

They and the whole system are very good with gentler music too, with the RGSB's soft dome tweeter sounding sweet and forthright, but without a hint of spit or sizzle. Best of all is the way the entire sound hangs together. They do appreciate the hefty pair of stands and it would be best to fill the Concorde SP24s with lead shot or dry sand.

It's only fair, I thought, to give the system some punishment, to see how it handles the rough stuff, so in went a taste of Nine Inch Nail's super-dynamic 'The Fragile'. This two-disc set could almost be described as a gothic rock odyssey, if there's such a thing, but regardless the Redgum system responds by taking you on a rollicking rollercoaster ride across the frequency spectrum - the system managing to hone the music's adrenaline-stormin aggressive tendencies into a sound that strikes hard with driving impact. Guitars sear through the air, as rhythms collide with forceful cohesion. Just as quickly, the music can subside, and when it does the Redgum delivers all of the fast moving transients.

Musical and involving, there's nothing about the performance of this system not to like. The only possible gripe is some of the operational parameters of the system. The CD2 might prove a bit fiddly to some. There's no remote, so playing a CD means opening the front panel, load a disc and hitting the small CD-ROM Play button. You can also only skip forwards through tracks - there's no going back. That aside, what this Redgum delivers in sheer listening enjoyment more than makes up for this and it's got to be the best-looking AVL magazine subscription prize we've ever offered.  AVL

Audio & Video Lifestyle Magazine - Issue 116 - Aug 2002

Reprinted with kind permission of Lorane Publishing