Ranko Acoustics Product Guide

Ranko Acoustics was founded in New York in 1992  and found global success creating audio cables, hardware, and accessories for both home and professional audio. Recently, Ranko Acoustics has turned their attention to the portable audio market and has been using their decades of experience in the audio business to create IEMs, headphone cables, and portable DACs that provide excellent value in hi-fi audio.

IEMs

Ranko currently offers two IEMs, both selling for under $400. Their IEMs offer highly engaging tunings with a nice build and a very extensive package.

RIE-880 - $140

The RIE-880 is a budget priced dynamic driver IEM with a big sound. Using a single dynamic driver, RIE-880 has great low-end punch with a highly engaging v-shaped sound signature that balances the impact and dynamics in the bass with good definition and air in the treble. It’s available in black or white with a resin shell and a hand-painted faceplate.The package includes a small carrying case, eartips, and a 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter to allow you to use RIE-880 with a variety of headphone amps and DACs. If you’re looking for a great “bang-for-your-buck” in a fun, dynamic IEM, RIE-880 delivers.

RIE-1000 - $314

RIE-1000 takes things up a couple steps from the RIE-880 with a more balanced sound coming from a 2-driver dynamic and balanced armature setup. RIE-1000 still leans towards an engaging, dynamic sound, but has a crisper more detailed delivery than the RIE-880.

RIE-1000 also uses a resin shell and features a translucent faceplate available in black, blue, or red. RIE-1000 includes the whole kit and caboodle in the box, with Ranko Acoustics’ RHJ-1025 mobile headphone adapter, as well as the more advanced REA-mini DAC, in addition to ear tips, earhooks, and a variety of adapters.

Cables and Adapters

While they’ve branched into IEMs and DACs, Ranko Acoustics’ roots are in cables. They still create a variety of high end cables, connectors, and adapters for professional use, and their smaller scale audiophile products reflect that quality and experience.

RHA-100-800 – $130-$218

In this line of cables, Ranko Acoustics provides a variety of connection and termination options in a simple, durable construction with stranded wires and premium materials. The primary difference is in the specifics of the conductor, the wire gauge (lower AWG number equals a thicker wire), and the number of strands. The N in the description represents the decimal point level of purity it is certified as. So 4N is 99.99% pure, 6N is 99.9999% pure, 7N is 99.99999% pure, and so on.

RHA-2000 - $235-$802

The RHA-2000 series represents Ranko Acoustics absolute top of the line cables, with their most premium materials and construction. Everything from the cable wraps to the connections is taken a step above the previous cable lines. The RHA-2000 series uses braided wire which increases the total conductive surface area, improving the transmission speed and quality. 

Adapters

While you can’t always have a single cable that works with all of your devices, you can get a variety of adapters that allow you to more conveniently combine headphones and devices that might not have worked together otherwise. Using adapters with high-end cable means a potential loss in sound quality, but Ranko Acoustics’ adapters are constructed to ensure the maximum possible integrity in the transfer of sound. There are a variety of adapters available in the RCP-100 series with gold plating or RCP-1000/2000 series with rhodium plating.

DACs

Ranko offers a number of portable DAC options, from cables with built-in DACs, terminated in USB-C to adapters that blend in almost seamlessly with your headphone cable. 

RHJ Series - $78-$100

The RHJ-1025 (2.5mm) and RHJ-1035 (3.5mm) provide a simple DAC cable that serves as an upgrade to the headphone dongles provided by various phone manufacturers. It’s available as both a USB-C DAC for Android phones or a Lightning DAC for iPhone. Their simplicity gives you improved sound quality, and a form factor that you’ll barely know is even there.

REA-mini - $109

The REA-mini is a little bit bigger than the RHJ series, but provides support for a wider range of formats, including MQA. While each RHJ adapter option is designed exclusively for either iPhone or Android, the REA-mini also provides adapters so that the same DAC can work with iPhone and Android, as well as with a laptop or desktop PC.

RAC-6000 series - $220-$585

To take things a step further, Ranko Acoustics combines their high end cables with their excellent portable DAC technology in the RAC-6000 series. The RAC-6000 series pairs the ES9281AC PRO DAC with a range of full sized IEM cables, with materials ranging from pure OCC Copper to Gold-plated Silver. For a true blend of convenience, portability, and top quality sound, the RAC-6000 series gives you everything you need.

Finding the right Ranko Acoustics Product for You

Ranko Acoustics offers a range of products with different functions and features. If you need a cable, DAC, or IEM, there should be something in their product line for you. Starting with their IEMs, if you prefer a more strongly accentuated “fun” sound, the RIE-880 has just that. If you prefer a little more accuracy and a more premium feel, the RIE-1000 is an excellent choice.

In their cables, if you need something inexpensive and durable for use on the go, the RHA-100 through RHA-800 series gives you a number of options for materials with a durable design. If you want to go with the most premium materials, and the softer, more flexible braided cables, the RHA-2000 series expands your options with materials like Gold-plated Silver and more premium, luxurious looking design. 

For DACs, the question will be what kind of form factor you’re looking for. Does combining the DAC and cable with the RAC-6000 for ultimate convenience work for you? Or would you prefer a small dongle for your mobile device like the RHJ-1025 or RHJ-1035? Alternatively you may need the higher flexibility of the mini-REA DAC to use with a variety of devices.

Altogether, Ranko Acoustics provides strong performance and excellent build quality at surprisingly accessible price points. Their IEMs and portable DACs are all strong competitors, and for cables you’ll be hard pressed to find this level of quality and materials at a lower price.