Audio Research 160M

Mike said:
I don’t see many people rack mounting 160M’s. They would need a shelf about 15 inches high. These babies are meant to be on gorgeous amp stands and proudly on display, not stuck in a rack.
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Mike, Do you have any Amp stand/rack recommendation for these babies?
 
KeithR said:
Thanks for sharing, Mike.

how does the Ref 160 improve upon the Ref75SE on an efficient speaker?
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The typical benefits of mono amps + triode mode setting = magic. But in ultralinear, sonically, close.


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Is the Ref 75se on par with the 80se? The 80se is the current amp at $7500.00, right?

Hardly, apples to apples in set up, I heard the 80se and I didn't find it close to the 160M, regarding control. The bass was a bit wooly and it didn't hold up with complex music, let it get meshed up.

Mike said:
The typical benefits of mono amps + triode mode setting = magic. But in ultralinear, sonically, close.


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Mr Peabody said:
Is the Ref 75se on par with the 80se? The 80se is the current amp at $7500.00, right?

Hardly, apples to apples in set up, I heard the 80se and I didn't find it close to the 160M, regarding control. The bass was a bit wooly and it didn't hold up with complex music, let it get meshed up.
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The VT80SE is a different class of amp. It’s not Reference Level, it’s part of the Foundation series.


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I heard the 160’s side by side vs the new boulder 28k amp and it wasn’t even close. I was impressed woth some of the things the Boulder did, but it was meh for me. The 160 was a treat. I felt it was so coherent. Gave a true 3D presentation. I was involved woth the music. Honestly it is one of my favorite amps right now. When we put on the dragon cords it scaled into another level above. I can’t imagine how it will sound with Garth’s new Firebird I believe it is called.
 
If the M160 sound good I wonder what can be expected from the future M260 mono-blocks ?



Ctsooner said:
I heard the 160’s side by side vs the new boulder 28k amp and it wasn’t even close. I was impressed woth some of the things the Boulder did, but it was meh for me. The 160 was a treat. I felt it was so coherent. Gave a true 3D presentation. I was involved woth the music. Honestly it is one of my favorite amps right now. When we put on the dragon cords it scaled into another level above. I can’t imagine how it will sound with Garth’s new Firebird I believe it is called.
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Ctsooner said:
I heard the 160’s side by side vs the new boulder 28k amp and it wasn’t even close. I was impressed woth some of the things the Boulder did, but it was meh for me. The 160 was a treat. I felt it was so coherent. Gave a true 3D presentation. I was involved woth the music. Honestly it is one of my favorite amps right now. When we put on the dragon cords it scaled into another level above. I can’t imagine how it will sound with Garth’s new Firebird I believe it is called.
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It sounds grrreeat! [emoji6]
 
Ctsooner said:
I heard the 160’s side by side vs the new boulder 28k amp and it wasn’t even close. I was impressed woth some of the things the Boulder did, but it was meh for me. The 160 was a treat. I felt it was so coherent. Gave a true 3D presentation. I was involved woth the music. Honestly it is one of my favorite amps right now. When we put on the dragon cords it scaled into another level above. I can’t imagine how it will sound with Garth’s new Firebird I believe it is called.
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I was as surprised as you were hearing the "new" ARC sound. Would never have guessed 10 years ago I would own one.

I've debated a 160m upgrade, but since I'm (physically) disabled going tube monoblocks is difficult and a major PITA. Actually, my 75SE is in the shop right now getting fixed- tube went out and took a resistor with it.
 
I too am disabled and I sold my tube gear. Now I have two tubes in my Memory Player server. I feel that SS has caught up if done right. That said this new set of AR gear is special.
 
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May issue....
 
How "bold" do you want the 160M to be? Want a pair of Colt 6 six guns hanging off the sides? What have you got against the French?
 
I need to get this issue. I got to hear the 160M with two different systems and was absolutely blown away. I know there are many other top brands of amps out there, but it's hard to think others are better. Different sure, but amazing amps.
 
An in depth review of the Ref 160M (8 pages!) in the May/June 2019 issue of The Absolute Sound.
 
Hi,
Does anyone know how ARC plans on using this new architecture from the 160S and 160M with their pre-amps and phono stages. I saw the REF 6 will now be upgraded to the REF 6SE and current REF 6 owners can upgrade. Does anyone know if that will be the same for REF 10 owners -- will the next top model preamp be a REF 10SE that current REF 10 owners can upgrade? How about with the REF 3 Phono -- will that be replaced and will current REF 3 Phono owners be able to upgrade. Thank you, Larry
 
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